Iron Deficiency in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease

Abstract

Red cell indices were determined in two groups of patients with chronic obstructive airways disease, a total of 60 patients. Bone marrow aspiration for the assessment of iron stores was also carried out in the majority of these patients. Values below the accepted lower limit of normal for mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and values above the accepted upper limit of normal for the diameter/thickness ratio (D/T), suggested the possibility of iron deficiency in 20 %, 23 % and 33 % of these patients respectively. 14 (26 %) of the 54 patients whose bone marrows were examined were found to have no stainable iron stores in the marrow fragments and were therefore considered to be definitely iron deficient. There was a probably significant relationship between the absence of iron stores and an increased D/T ratio, a reduced MCH, but not a reduced MCHC. The results of a dietary study suggested a possible relationship between the presence of iron deficiency based on the examination of bone marrow iron stores and a low iron intake. It is concluded that iron deficiency, which may be a common occurrence in chronic obstructive airways disease, is at least a contributory factor in the production of abnormal red cell indices in such patients.

Characterization of leaves used in infusion preparation grown in northeastern Brazil by chemometric methods based on their multi-elemental composition

“…Metal deficiencies and imbalances are known to be involved in disorders of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal, muscular, skeletal, neurological, immune and endocrine systems (Chandrachood et al, 2009). Research has revealed that iron deficiency, which may be a common occurrence in chronic obstructive airways disease, is at least a contributory factor in the production of abnormal red cell indices in such patients (Child et al, 1973). The highest levels of iron were found in Acmella uliginosa, Ocimum basilicum, Mentha pulegium and Mikania glomerata which are species used in folk medicine to aid respiratory diseases, in addition to others, such as stomach ache, influenza, infant colic and influenza, as well as being anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory (Agra et al, 2008;Dng et al, 2011).…”