TY - JOUR T1 - Iron deficiency is common in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J DO - 10.1183/09031936.00100510 SP - erj01005-2010 AU - G. Ruiter AU - S. Lankhorst AU - A. Boonstra AU - P.E. Postmus AU - S. Zweegman AU - N. Westerhof AU - W.J. van der Laarse AU - A. Vonk-Noordegraaf Y1 - 2010/01/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2010/09/30/09031936.00100510.abstract N2 - The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of iron deficiency in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), and to investigate whether oral iron suppletion has effects in iron deficient patients.From all IPAH patients attending our center between May 2009 and February 2010, iron parameters were measured. Iron data were related to clinical parameters including six minute walking distance (6MWD) and haemodynamic parameters measured during right heart catheterisation. In a subset of iron deficient patients, the uptake of iron from the bowel was studied after administering oral iron for four weeks.Iron deficiency was found in 30 of 70 patients (43%). 6MWD was reduced in iron deficient patients compared to non-iron deficient patients (390±138 m vs 460±143 m, p<0.05) irrespective of the existence of anaemia. In a subset of 18 patients that received oral iron, ferritin levels were significantly increased although 8 patients only slightly increased their iron storage.This study shows that iron deficiency is frequently present in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and is associated with a lower exercise capacity. The small response to oral iron in 44% of the treated patients suggests impaired iron absorption in these patients. ER -