The Particulars: Few studies have explored the impact of iron deficiency and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels on outcomes in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH).
Data Breakdown: A study of patients with PH found that 69% were iron deficient. These patients had lower 6-minuite walking distance and higher oxygen requirements. They also had higher rates of all-cause mortality and were more likely to need a lung transplant when compared with patients who had sufficient iron levels. Patients with elevated IL-6 levels also had a higher incidence of mortality and lung transplantation that those with normal IL-6 levels. A liner correlation was observed between IL-6 levels and mortality.
Take Home Pearls: Iron deficiency and inflammation appear to occur in the majority of patients with PH and correlated with worse outcomes than iron sufficiency and no inflammation. A linear correlation appears to exist between IL-6 levels and mortality.
