ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Serum uric acid (UA) and anemia could be a valid and useful prognostic marker of chronic heart failure (CHF). We investigated the relationship of anemia and UA with clinical outcomes in CHF patients. METHODS: We analyzed 109 patients with congestive heart failure between August 2001 and October 2002 (age 67 +/- 15 years, follow-up 14 +/- 5 months). We distributed the patients into 3 groups according to hematocrit (Hct) level [Hct group 1 (Hct 38%, n=39)] and into 3 groups according to serum uric acid (UA) level [UA group I (UA 7.5 mg/dL, n=20)]. Primary end point were rehospitalization resulting from aggravation of CHF and all-cause of death. RESULTS: Among the groups according to Hct level, readmission rates were 57.1%, 28.6%, 15.4%, respectively (p<0.05). Among men, readmission rates were 82.3%, 22.2%, 14.3%, respectively (p<0.05). No significant difference in death rate was observed among the 3 groups. Among the groups according to UA level, there was no significant difference in readmission rates. Death rates were 5%, 8%, 35%, respectively (p<0.05) and there was significant difference in death rate especially among male patients. CONCLUSION: In male patients, lower hematocrit level was associated with higher readmission rate and higher serum uric acid level was associated with death rate.