Renal anemia is one of the common complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Domestic research data shows that the prevalence of anemia among CKD patients ranges from 28.5% to 72%, increasing as kidney disease progresses. In dialysis populations, the prevalence of anemia is as high as 91.6% to 98.2%. Like renal hypertension, renal anemia is a widespread complication among CKD patients.
Some CKD patients lack sufficient understanding of anemia. Today, let's delve into the anemia situation in CKD patients and its influencing factors. Let’s learn together, kidney friends.
Causes of Anemia
1. Kidney Dysfunction and Microinflammation
CKD leads to kidney dysfunction, resulting in insufficient secretion of erythropoietin, iron deficiency, or utilization disorders. The state of microinflammation, accumulation of toxins, and combined infections cause shortened red blood cell lifespan. CKD patients produce fewer blood cells while experiencing increased loss, thus often suffering from anemia. Statistics show that the incidence rate of CKD stage 3 in China is as high as 51.1%.
2. Parathyroid Hormone
High levels of parathyroid hormone affect platelet aggregation and inhibit erythropoietin secretion. This results in a reduction of hematopoietic areas and the number of red blood cells, increasing the incidence and severity of anemia.
3. Age
Most elderly patients are in a state of chronic microinflammation. Even when healthy, their levels of certain inflammatory factors are significantly higher than those of younger people. Elevated inflammatory factor levels are closely related to the occurrence of anemia. Therefore, the proportion of elderly patients with anemia is higher, and it occurs earlier.
4. Diabetes
In CKD patients with diabetes, medications used during treatment can affect hematopoietic function. For example, hypoglycemic agents like metformin and glibenclamide can affect hemoglobin levels, and anticoagulants can interfere with the coagulation process, leading to bleeding and anemia.
Dangers of Anemia
Anemia can damage the cardiovascular, nervous, and immune systems of CKD patients and cause clinical symptoms such as fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, and pale skin and mucous membranes. This leads to a decline in the quality of life and an increase in medical expenses.
Importance of Anemia Awareness for Kidney Friends
Renal anemia has a high incidence, low target achievement rate, untimely medication adjustments, and irregular treatment practices. Chinese experts recommend a hemoglobin treatment target of 110-130 g/L for renal anemia. Surveys show that only about 40% of maintenance hemodialysis patients meet the target hemoglobin levels, indicating that awareness and treatment rates for anemia need improvement.
Unlike blood pressure, which can be monitored at home, anemia can only be monitored through blood tests. It is recommended that kidney friends regularly monitor anemia indicators. For patients without anemia, regular check-ups can assess anemia-related risk factors for timely prevention. For patients who have started medication to correct anemia, regular check-ups can evaluate treatment effectiveness and adjust medication doses.
The risks of anemia in CKD patients cannot be ignored. Kidney friends, especially those on dialysis, should pay attention. For treatment, your specialist nurse and doctor will help analyze the causes of anemia and provide targeted treatment.
This issue has helped many kidney friends understand the importance of anemia and the precautions to take. We believe that kidney friends can better and more confidently face the disease, ensuring better physical and mental health.
In the next issue, we will bring you scientific knowledge about renal hypertension. Kidney friends, please bookmark, follow, and join us next time to learn more about hemodialysis!
References:
1. Liao Yongqian, et al. "How CKD Patients Should Manage Renal Anemia." Health Care Medicine, 2023, (03), 18-19.
2. Zhang Danyang, et al. "Analysis of Anemia and Its Influencing Factors in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients." Medical Review, 2020, 26(01), 200-203+208.
3. Wang Yuedeng. "Progress in the Treatment of Renal Anemia with Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine." Clinical Research in Chinese Medicine, 2023, 15(15), 38-42.
4. Sun Liya, et al. "Interpretation of the Chinese Expert Consensus on the Recognition and Management of Renal Anemia in Diabetic Kidney Disease (2023 Edition)." Chinese Journal of Practical Internal Medicine, 2023, 43(09), 725-729.
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