Prevalence of Anemia and Its Association with Dyspnea in Chronic Lung Disease: A Pilot Observational Study

Authors: Dr Aishwarya Alavandar, Dr Ghanshyam Verma, Jayamol Revendran

DOI: 10.18231/j.ijirm.12515.1906912415

Keywords: Chronic lung disease, Anemia, Dyspnea, Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), C-reactive protein (CRP), Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Abstract: Background: Anemia is a frequently underrecognized comorbidity in chronic lung disease (CLD) and may exacerbate dyspnea. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anemia and its association with dyspnea severity, systemic inflammation, and functional exercise capacity in patients with CLD. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 22 adult patients with confirmed CLD diagnoses (COPD, ILD, or bronchiectasis). Hemoglobin levels, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured. Dyspnea was assessed using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale, and exercise capacity via the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, t-tests, and Spearman’s correlation. Results: Anemia was observed in 54.5% of patients. The anemic group exhibited significantly lower hemoglobin levels (10.2 ± 1.1 vs. 13.6 ± 0.9 g/dL, p < 0.001), higher mMRC scores (3.2 ± 0.8 vs. 2.1 ± 0.6, p = 0.03), elevated CRP (18.4 ± 5.7 vs. 9.2 ± 3.2 mg/L, p = 0.004), and ESR (45.3 ± 9.6 vs. 28.4 ± 10.1 mm/hr, p = 0.002), and reduced 6MWT distances (276 ± 48 vs. 370 ± 56 m, p = 0.002). Hemoglobin levels correlated inversely with mMRC (r = –0.57, p = 0.006), CRP (r = –0.54, p = 0.01), and ESR (r = –0.51, p = 0.012), and positively with 6MWT distance (r = 0.59, p = 0.005). Conclusion: Anemia is prevalent among patients with CLD and is associated with increased dyspnea, systemic inflammation, and reduced functional capacity. Routine evaluation of hemoglobin and inflammatory markers may enhance symptom management in this population.