Stroke patients are especially vulnerable to the effects of anaemia, research finds, with even mild anaemia linked to a 50% increased risk of death within the first year.
In a study of 3700 men treated for a first ischemic stroke, researchers found those with moderate anaemia were twice as likely to die within a year, compared with those who were non-anaemic.
Patients with severe anaemia were 3.5 times more likely to die while still in hospital and 2.5 times more likely to die within a year than those without anaemia.
Presenting the research at an American Stroke Association
conference in New Orleans, researchers said severe anaemia was a "potent predictor" of death in the first year after a stroke.
"Further work is required to evaluate whether interventions that treat anaemia, its complications and underlying aetiologies may also reduce post-stroke mortality," they said.
Associate Professor Simon Koblar, director of the stroke research program at the University of Adelaide, said the study was an important reminder of the need to consider anaemia in post-stroke management.
If patients experienced lethargy, it could be worthwhile testing them for anaemia, he said, rather than attributing the symptoms directly to the stroke.
"It does raise the prospect that looking for anaemia in post-stroke patients is worthwhile, [but] screening all patients is not suggested yet."
The study defined healthy haematocrit values as 38-42%, mild anaemia as 33-37%, moderate anaemia as 28-32% and 27% or below as severe anaemia.