Anemia among long-term renal transplant recipients.
BACKGROUND
The effects of anemia on cardiovascular disease among the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population suggest that it may be one of the major factors explaining this complication among kidney transplant recipients. Systematic investigation into the prevalence of posttransplantation anemia (PTA) is therefore of critical importance.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study of data from 650 patients followed at a single outpatient transplant clinic utilized the guidelines of the American Society of Transplantation to define anemia as a hemoglobin (Hb) < or =130 g/L in men or < or =120 g/L in women.


RESULTS
Among the 39% of patients who were anemic, the prevalence was greater in women than in men. Serum Hb concentrations significantly correlated with the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), serum transferrin, the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and mycophenolate mofetil therapy. Upon multivariate analysis, the GFR, serum transferrin, potential nutritional markers, chronic inflammation, and iron deficiency were independently and significantly associated with the presence of anemia. Erythropoietin was administered to 15 (5.7%) anemic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
PTA is a prevalent, undertreated condition. Based on our results, we suggest that protein/energy malnutrition and/or chronic inflammation were independently associated with anemia.
Ghafari
A
A
Nephrology Department, Emam Hospital, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran. ghaf_ali@yahoo.com
Noori-Majelan
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D006454:Hemoglobins