842-4 Deranged steroid metabolism independently predicts anemia in chronic heart failure

Cardiac structure and function

“…The mechanism may be due to blunted erythropoietin production, as well as a defective iron supply (13). Altered steroid metabolism with an increased cortisol/ dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) ratio is a strong predictor of anemia in males with congestive heart failure (CHF) (14). Data from the Study of Anemia in a Heart Failure Population (STAMINA-HFP) registry suggested that anemia is common in CHF seen in specialty and community cardiology clinics (15) and is associated with a reduced quality of life (16).…”