Prevalence and management of anemia among hemodialysis patients in selected referral hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2023.

Abstract

Abstract Background: Anemia is a common complication among patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) on Maintenance Hemodialysis Therapy (MHD) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and management of anemia among patients on maintenance hemodialysis in two public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Objectives: The objective of this study is to to evaluate the prevalence and management of anemia among patients on maintenance hemodialysis in two public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Methods: The study is cross-sectional and conducted among end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis in two hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, between September and December 2023. We included all end-stage renal disease patients on maintenance HD ( 80patients). The data was collected by interviewing and data extraction from patient charts. The data include the sociodemographic characterstics,, comorbidities, underlying cause of end stage renal disease, laboratory parameters investigation, and treatment profiles of anemia. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23 software and Descriptive analysis was done through summarization using percentages (frequency distribution), tables, and graphs of the study variables. Results: A total of 80 participants (73.8% male) were included in the study. The mean(+SD) age of the patients was 45.25+13.89 years and about one-third (33.3%) of the patients were aged 35 to 45 years. More than half (51.3%, 41/80) had hypertension, and 17.5% (14/80) had diabetes.The hemoglobin mean (+SD) level was 10.42± 1.63g/dl. The overall prevalence of anemia was 86.25%(69/80), stratified by gender, 83.1%(49/80) (Hgb ˂13g/dl) male and 71.4% (15/21) (Hb ˂ 12g/dl female had anemia. The majority, 73.9 % of anemia patients had normocytic normochromic anemia followed by (23.2%) low microcytosis anemia. Erythropoietin was prescribed for more than two-thirds (71.1%) of anemic patients. Less than half (47.5%) had iron tests. Conclusion and recommendation: We found a high prevalence of anemia among patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease. Screening all patients with iron studies and managing anemia according to standardized guidelines decreased mortality and improved quality of life. Keywords: Hemodialysis, Anemia, Addis Ababa