Hematological indices of end-stage chronic renal failure patients in Sudan: With or without iron supplements

Anemia is very common among end stage patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). In this investigation, hematological parameters were examined in patients with end stage chronic renal failure from Khartoum, Sudan. A total of 70 patients and additional 30 healthy subjects were included in the study. All patients were under erythropoietin therapy whereas 42% were using iron supplements. The results showed that about 98% of CRF patients had anemia. Normocytic normochromic anemia was the most common type (94%) while few were suffering from microcytic hypochromic (6%) anemia. Low levels of hemoglobin, red blood cell count, hematocrits, serum iron, serum ferritin, and platelet counts were observed in the patient group compared to healthy controls (P<0.01). However, MCV, MCH and MCHC were not different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Moreover, no significant differences in all hematological parameters between patients with and without iron supplements were observed except for hemoglobin. In conclusion, anemia is common among end stage CRF in Sudan in spite of erythropoietin and iron therapy.