The first report of The Latin American Society of Nephrology and Hypertension (SLANH) Anemia Committee in chronic hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND

Anemia almost invariably occurs in patients with chronic kidney disease. Limited data are available regarding anemia management in Latin American (LA) hemodialysis (HD) patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the results of the first anemia survey of the Anemia Committee of the SLANH.

METHODS

This is a multinational, voluntary survey that collected anemia management data from adult HD patients from independent, non-chain owned HD units, between 09/2009 and 03/2010. T-test, ANOVA, chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The survey received responses from 134 HD units of 16 countries providing data from 9,025 patients. Mean values of Hb, ferritin, and transferrin saturation (TSAT) were 10.5 ± 1.8 g/dL, 570 ± 539 µg/l, and 29.8 ± 15%, respectively. Only 32.7% of patients were within the Hb target of 10.5-12.0 g/dL (46.3% were below and 21.1% above). Erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) were administered to 84.3% patients and 68.3% received intravenous iron (IV). Iron deficiency (TSAT≤20%) was present in 27.5% patients and among those receiving erythropoietin, 47% did not achieve Hb target. The independent variables associated with the lowest Hb level (<10.5 g/dL) were: female gender, TSAT<25% and age<50 years.

CONCLUSIONS

According to these results, nearly half of LA chronic HD patients did not achieve the recommended Hb target despite wide use of ESAs and IV iron.