Short Communication Pulmonary Function Tests in Indian Women with Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common cause of nutritional anemias in Indian women. As the oxygen carrying capacity of blood decreases, most of the body systems are affected. The present study was undertaken to analyze the affects of anemia on lung functions. The study included 66 women of different socio economic status of the society. They were classified into three groups based on the severity of anemia and socio-economic status. The Body mass index, Body surface area, Forced vital capacity, Forced expiratory volume in 1 second, Forced vital capacity ratio expressed as percentage, Peak expiratory flow rate, Maximum voluntary ventilation were assessed using Medspiror. The results showed a significant increase in body weight with increase in hemoglobin, similarly there was increase in the weight, Body mass index and Body surface area in individuals with better hemoglobin. The mean values of percentage predictions of Forced expiratory volume in 1 second, Forced vital capacity ratio expressed as percentage, Peak expiratory flow rate were significant at p value less than 0.05 in all the groups. Increase in Forced vital capacity ratio expressed as percentage indicates restrictive broncho-pulmonary dysfunction. Further, the decrease in Peak expiratory flow rate indicated poor endurance and strength of respiratory muscles. To the best of our knowledge, there is hardly any standardized literature documented on affects of Iron deficiency anemia on dynamic ventilator tests.