Abstract:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an emerging public health problem worldwide, with increasing cost
of healthcare particularly in third world nations like Libya. Hematological parameters are generally influenced
in CKD and the effect increases with the stage of CKD. Hematological profiles are rarely investigated in CKD
subjects in our population. This study was conducted to determine the hematologic profile in Libyan CKD
subjects and to compare it in both hemodialyzed and pre-dialyzed patients. The study included 55 hemodialyzed
CKD patients, 50 pre-dialyzed CKD patients, and 48 healthy controls.
Blood Samples were analyzed for urea, creatinine, and complete blood counts including hemoglobin
concentration, red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets count. The data were statistically
analyzed using SPSS. Our results revealed that hypertension was the most common cause of CKD among the
studied group. A significantly lower (p< 0.05) RBCs count, hemoglobin levels (Hb), and hematocrit in CKD
patients than healthy controls. Platelet count was lower (p< 0.05) in hemodialyzed CKD patients than predialyzed
CKD subjects. WBC count showed no significant change in CKD patients compared to control. The
prevalence of anemia among hemodialyzed-CKD was markedly high (96% and 100% for males and females
respectively) and double that of the predialyzed CKD patients (53% and 52% for males and females
respectively).
Estimated glomerular filtration rate showed a significant positive correlation with hemoglobin (Hb)
concentration but non-significant correlations with other hematological parameters. These hematological
abnormalities expose CKD patients to higher risk of anemia-related complications and bleeding disorders, and
the risk increase with the stage of CKD, which may have a role in increasing the rate of patient mortality and
morbidity. Moreover, hypertension as the most common cause of CKD in our study, this may indicate the lack
management programs for blood pressure in hypertensive patients
