Iron Deficiency Anemia in Hemodialysis Patients Managed by Erythropoetin in Sanandaj Dialysis Center

Anemia is one of the main complication in hemodialysis patients which is accompanied by many adverse effects. Indadequate production of erythropoetin is the main cause of anemia in hemodialysis patients and a reduction in iron resources or iron availability is the most common cause of EPO resistance. Iron overload and deficiency are accompanied by pathologic effects. The precise measurement of iron indices is a necessity in hemodialysis patients. Statistical population included all hemodialysis patients with erythropoetin therapy referred to Tohid dialysis center in Sanandaj in 2001-2002. Data including demographic characteristics of the patients, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, serum SI level, TIBC and ferritin were measured and recorded in check lists. Data was analyzed in accordance with the mentioned variables. Almost all of the cases (97.6%) were anemic. 53.7% of the cases had an abnormal serum iron, 4.9% showed significant increase in T.I.B.C and 19.5% of them showed serum ferritine <100mg/ml. 4.9% of the cases had a MCV less than 85 fL and in 34.1% of the cases MCH was less than 25pg. Our study showed that approximately all of the hemodialysis patients managed by erythropoetin referred to Sanandaj dialysis center were anemic. With respect to the fact that iron deficiency is the most common cause of EPO resistance, evaluation of iron indices in these patients is recommended. According to the results of this study SI/TIBC and MCH are the best indices for evaluating iron statue in hemodialysis patients. Normal MCV reported in this study can be considered as an indicator for folic acid and Vit B12 deficiency and is necessary for a proper management.