“With data from 300 astronauts, this is the largest study ever to look at space anemia. We will need to study new ways to manage anemia as space missions become longer," - Dr. Guy TrudelMore astronauts are anemic after longer space flights, according to a study led by Dr. Guy Trudel. Anemia is a reduced level of red blood cells that can make people feel weak or tired. 

The team looked at data from all American and Canadian astronaut missions between 1968 and 2015, comprising 300 astronauts and 700 missions. This included missions that were short (average 5 days), medium (average 11 days) and long (average 5 months). 

Nearly half of astronauts (48 percent) were anemic after long missions, compared to 10 percent after medium missions and 7 percent after short missions. It took 49 days for medium and long mission astronauts to return to their pre-mission red blood cell levels, compared to 24 days for the short mission astronauts. 

Understanding the effects of space travel on the human body is necessary for space tourism and plans for long-term missions to the Moon and Mars.

“With data from 300 astronauts, this is the largest study ever to look at space anemia. We will need to study new ways to manage anemia as space missions become longer," said Dr. Guy Trudel, researcher and rehabilitation physician at The Ottawa Hospital,  professor at the University of Ottawa

Source: American Journal of Hematology

Authors: Guy Trudel, Jessica Shafer, Odette Laneuville, Tim Ramsay

Funders: The Canadian Space Agency. Research at The Ottawa Hospital is possible because of generous donations to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation

Core Resources: The Ottawa Methods Centre

The Ottawa Hospital is a leading academic health, research and learning hospital proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa.  

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