Prevalence, Predictors, and Management of Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease – A Retrospective Longitudinal Analysis of Treatment Outcomes

Background: Anemia is a common and serious complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD), contributing to increased morbidity, reduced quality of life, and accelerated disease progression. Its prevalence varies globally, influenced by factors such as healthcare access, socioeconomic conditions, and disease management strategies. Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence, predictors, and management strategies of anemia along with treatment outcomes over three months among patients with CKD. Material and Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted among 300 patients with CKD. Data on anemia prevalence, socio-demographic factors, treatment strategies, and hematologic, and renal outcomes were collected and analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of anemia. Treatment effectiveness was assessed based on changes in hematological parameters (hemoglobin [Hb] and packed cell volume [PCV]), creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate after three months. The probability value for statistical significance was set at <0.05. Results: Anemia was observed in 80.0% of patients with CKD. Anemia was significantly more common in males (94.3%) than females (72.3%) ( p < 0.001) and was more prevalent among employed individuals (88.9%) compared to the unemployed (75.0%) ( p = 0.007). Males had significantly higher odds of anemia (AOR: 5.07, 95% CI: 1.81-14.23, p = 0.002). Pharmacological treatment alone was the most common approach (81.1%), followed by combined pharmacologic and blood transfusion therapy (14.2%) and transfusion alone (4.7%). The most frequently used drugs were folic acid (47.1%) and iron supplements (44.6%). Among 99 patients with post-treatment data, Hb and PCV significantly improved by 1.32 g/dL and 4.05%, respectively. Conclusion: In this study, anemia is highly prevalent among patients with CKD, with the male sex as a significant predictor. Pharmacological therapy was the mainstay of treatment, yielding significant improvements in hematologic parameters. However, further interventions may be needed to optimize renal function outcomes. Policies promoting early detection and treatment of anemia in CKD are crucial for improving patient outcomes.