Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the levels of serum iron, total iron
binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation and serum ferritin in diagnosed cases of
chronic kidney disease due to any aetiology not undergoing dialysis. Study also aimed to
determine the correlation between serum creatinine and serum iron levels in chronic
kidney disease in this group of patients.
Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in the city of Dibrugarh and
which also included patients belonging to adjoining districts of Upper Assam from 20th
October 2018 to 19th October 2019 for a period of 1 year. A clinico-hematological study
was undertaken to evaluate the levels of serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC),
transferrin saturation and serum ferritin in diagnosed cases of chronic kidney disease
(not on dialysis) due to any aetiology. Study included 110 old and newly diagnosed cases
of CKD attending the out–patient department not on dialysis. A cut-off off Hemoglobin
<13 g/dl in men and <12 g/dl in women was used to make the diagnosis of anemia.
Results: Prevalence of anemia among CKD cases was observed as 74.6% with Hb level
<6 gm% was observed in 6.4% cases. Normocytic normochromic picture was observed
in 53.6% cases. Decreased level of serum iron, ferritin, TIBC and transferrin saturation
was seen in 99.1%, 16.4%, 52.75 and 78.2% cases respectively. Mean levels of
haemoglobin, RBC and iron indices (except for TIBC levels) decreased significantly
with increase in the CKD stage. A significant positive correlation was observed between
eGFR levels with haemoglobin and iron indices (except TIBC) while an inverse
correlation was observed with creatinine levels.
Conclusion: Anemia among Pre dialysis-CKD cases is mostly normocytic and moderate
in severity. Functional iron deficiency was the predominant form of iron deficiency in
these patients. Both hemoglobin and other iron indices worsens with progressive loss of
kidney functions.