Haemoglobin and Iron Studies in Chronic Kidney Disease Stage-5 Patients yet Not On Dialysis

Abstract

Objective: To look for the low levels of haemoglobin and ferritin among the patients of chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stage-5 not undergoing dialysis and factors related to the presence of low levels of haemoglobin and ferritin.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Nephrology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Feb 2019 to Jan 2021. Methodology: A total of 800 cases were included in the study, diagnosed as chronic kidney disease Stage-5 in the nephrology outpatient department (OPD) by a consultant nephrologist who did not require hemodialysis. Haemoglobin and ferritin levels were recorded in all patients at the time of assessment in the outpatient department. In addition, the relationship of various factors was assessed with low haemoglobin and ferritin among the study participants.

Results: Out of 800 non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients in the study, 421(52.7%) patients were males and 379(46.3%) were females. Of the participants, 471(58.9%) had either low ferritin or hemoglobin levels, while 329(41.1%) did not show low haemoglobin and/or ferritin levels. Long duration of illness and female gender was significantly associated with low haemoglobin/ferritin levels among the non-dialysis patients of chronic kidney disease Stage-5 (p-value<0.05).

Conclusion: Low levels of hemoglobin and ferritin were found in most patients suffering from chronic kidney disease Stage-5 and not undergoing hemodialysis. Therefore, special attention should be paid to female patients and patients with a longer duration of chronic kidney disease.