A Cross-Sectional Evaluation of Anemia Characteristics Among CKD Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic Kidney Disease remains a major global health issue, impacting between 8% and 16% of the population. A common complication among CKD patients is anemia, hyperkalemia, hypercalcemia, ongoing inflammation, typically resulting from inadequate RBC production, insufficient iron levels, metabolic acidosis and uremia.

Aim: To assess the prevalence, severity, and morphological patterns of anemia in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) receiving care at a tertiary hospital, and to compare these characteristics with those observed in non-CKD individuals.
Methodology: Over a span of three months, a cross-sectional investigation was undertaken at a tertiary care facility. The study involved a total of 197 participants, comprising 80 individuals diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease and 117 without the condition. Laboratory evaluations were conducted to assess hemoglobin levels and analyze red blood cell morphology, aiming to identify the occurrence, degree, and classification of anemia.

In contrast, non-CKD individuals mostly had values between 0.5–1.5 mg/dL. In contrast, non-CKD individuals had significantly higher eGFR values (>90), consistent with normal renal function.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates statistically significant differences in hematological and renal biomarkers between CKD and non-CKD patients, with stronger distinctions observed in female patients. CKD patients show lower hemoglobin and serum iron levels, higher creatinine, and reduced eGFR, indicating compromised renal function and associated anemia. Age also plays a vital role, with middle-aged and elderly individuals showing higher CKD prevalence.