Polycythemia in patients with chronic kidney disease in hemodialysis

Vizcarra C.A.V. · Revista Cubana de Medicina Militar (2022)

Resumen

Introduction: Patients with chronic kidney disease have anemia, which is less frequent in cities above 1000 meters above sea level. Objectives: To determine the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients on hemodialysis at high altitude. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study in 70 patients from a dialysis center (3827 meters above sea level). Patients were divided according to hemoglobin level: Group 1 (< 10 g/dl), Group 2 (10 – 12 g/dl), Group 3 (12 – 18 g/dl) and Group 4 (≥ 18 g/dl). Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory variables were investigated. Absolute and relative frequencies, averages and standard deviation were calculated and descriptive analysis, chi-square test and ANOVA were applied. Results: We observed a predominance of men (67 %) and a mean age of 60.7 ± 14.1 years. 45 % of the patients were hypertensive, with a significant difference (p< 0,05) between group 1 and 2. The mean hemoglobin was 12,99 ± 2,6 g/dl, and we found that 5.7 % of the evaluated had hemoglobin ≥ 18 g/dL. A direct relationship between hemoglobin and phosphorus was observed, although of low intensity (r< 0,300) and significant (p< 0,05); that is, there is a tendency to hyperphosphatemia in patients with polycythemia. Conclusions: More than 60 % of patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis who live at high altitude have high hemoglobin levels, above the recommended levels for this population. Furthermore, a relationship was established between polycythemia and older age, calcium, phosphorus, albumin and Kt/V levels and lower parathyroid hormone levels.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa