M. Rao, B. Pereira
Oct 1, 2005
Citations
1
Influential Citations
64
Citations
Journal
Kidney international
Abstract
Anemia is a frequent complication of chronic kidney disease, occurring in over 90% of patients undergoing renal replacement therapy. The pathogenesis of the anemia of chronic kidney disease is multifactorial, but the predominant and most consistent cause is the failure of adequate production of endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) by the kidneys. Anemia is seen early in the course of chronic kidney disease, the decline in hemoglobin concentration starting at levels of creatinine clearance of around 70 mL/min among men and 50 mL/min among women1. The fundamental impact of anemia on organ function is reduced oxygen delivery to tissues. Fatigue and effort intolerance are the cardinal symptoms, but other consequences such as impaired cognitive function and concentration, sleep disorders, altered hemostasis, depressed immune function, and impaired cardiac function are not uncommon.