FUNCTIONAL IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE PATIENTS
Abstract
Introduction: Anemia is one of the major harms in hemodialysis patients, which is caused by inadequate production of erythropoietin. Functional iron deficiency (FID) anemia is a type of anemia, characterized by lack of functional iron. There are many markers identified for assessing FID in patients of chronic kidney disease(CKD). Of these the most sensitive marker is percentage of hypo chromic red cells (%HRC).
Objective: To observe the frequency of functional iron deficiency in patients of chronic kidney diseases by percentage of hypo chromic red cells.
Methodology: This study was carried out in the Ibnae –Sienna Hospital Multan from March 2016 to September 2016. All those CKD patients who were on hemodialysis and on erythropoietin stimulating agent (ESA) were included in the study. However, those patients who had history of chronic infections like tuberculosis or any history of malignancy were not included in this study. For this study, 150 patients on hemodialysis and on ESA were recruited. Hemoglobin (Hb), mean cell volume (MCV) and %Hypo were measured on the Sysmex XE 5000.
Results: A sum of 150 hemodialysis patients on ESA were enrolled in this study. Of these 57.3%were males while 42.7% were females. The average age of patients was 48.71±11.92 years. Functional iron deficiency was observed in 28.7% of patients on hemodialysis.
Conclusion: Percentage of hypochromic red cells (%HRC) is the most sensitive marker for diagnosis of FID. Timely diagnosis will help in reducing treatment related complications and improve quality of life.