Prevalence of anemia and mortality among anemic patients with COVID-19 in a tertiary care setting in Nepal

Aashis Poudel; Rakesh Pariyar; Himal Karki; Aashish  Giri; Sandip Bhusal; Ramesh Poudel; Saugat Paudel; Bimal Pandey

Authors

Aashis Poudel Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
Rakesh Pariyar Tokha Chandeshwori Hospital, Kathmandu https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6990-2949
Himal Karki Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7288-6811
Aashish Giri Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6997-1159
Sandip Bhusal Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7227-6238
Ramesh Poudel Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2637-6370
Saugat Paudel Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7323-5579
Bimal Pandey Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7067-8154

Keywords:

anemia, covid-19, hemoglobin, prevalence

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic first detected in December 2019 has claimed so many lives globally as well as in Nepal. Inflammatory changes in SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to anemia. This study aims to find the prevalence of anemia and mortality among anemic patients in COVID patients admitted to a tertiary care centre in Nepal.

Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study with data collected retrospectively between May 2021 to February 2022 on patients with proven COVID-19 admitted to Patan Hospital.

Result: Among 890, anemia was prevalent in 296(33.25%) (CI 95%, 30.17-36.35) patients which was more among the female population. The mean hemoglobin was 10.68±1.62 g/dl in anemic patients. Mild anemia was present in 215(72.6%) patients followed by moderate in 64(21.6%) patients and severe in 17(5.8%) patients. The mortality in anemic patients was 43(14.5%).

Conclusion: One third of COVID-19 patients admitted to Patan Hospital had anemia which was found to be similar to studies done in similar setting. One in four COVID-19 patients with anemia had died was found to be lower than other studies done in similar settings.