title: [Impact of hemoglobin level on lung cancer survival].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Anemia is commonly observed in lung cancer (LC). Hemoglobin levels at the time of diagnosis could be considered a prognostic indicator in patients with LC. The aim of this trial was to analyze hemoglobin levels at the time of diagnosis as a prognostic factor in patients with LC.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively examined all patients with LC (cytologically or histologically confirmed) diagnosed in our health area for a period of 3 years. Correlation between hemoglobin levels and survival was assessed. All patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with low hemoglobin levels (lower than percentile 25 of the distribution), and patients who exceeded that figure. By means of Cox's regression, the influence of hemoglobin levels in survival was calculated and adjusted to other factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  421 patients were included, 52.2% of them presented anemia at the time of diagnosis. Mean age was 65.8 years and 92.7% were male. The group of patients with hemoglobin levels lower than percentile 25 had a survival rate that was 41% inferior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low hemoglobin levels are associated with decreased survival in patients with LC. The evaluation of this parameter could be used for a more accurate prognosis in LC and a better adequacy of therapeutic indications.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirurxía Torácica. Complexo Hospitalario Clínico Universitario de Santiago. Santiago de Compostela. La Coruña. España.
authors.forename: José María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: García Prim
authors.forename: Francisco Javier
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: González Barcala
authors.forename: Milagros
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moldes Rodríguez
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Alvarez Dobañob
authors.forename: Xurxo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hervada Vidal
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pose Reino
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valdés Cuadrado
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins