Body Composition, Anemia, and Kidney Function among Guatemalan Sugarcane Workers.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Nephrology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Agricultural workers face risks for kidney injury and chronic kidney disease of unknown cause (CKDu).
• The prevalence of anemia and its relationship with kidney function in this population remain largely unknown.
• Understanding nutritional status and metabolic factors like hemoglobin A1c is crucial for assessing health risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate body composition, anemia, and elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in male sugarcane cutters.
• To assess the relationship between nutritional variables, anemia, elevated HbA1c, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
• To inform future studies on anemia's role in CKDu and guide nutritional interventions for at-risk workers.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 203 male sugarcane cutters.
• Assessment of body composition via sum of three skinfolds.
• Linear regression analysis to determine relationships between nutritional factors, anemia (hemoglobin < 13 g/dL), elevated HbA1c (≥ 5.7%), and eGFR.

Main Results:

• 13% of workers had anemia, more common in those with lower BMI and fat-free mass.
• 21% had elevated HbA1c, with a moderate negative correlation between hemoglobin and HbA1c.
• 12% had reduced kidney function (eGFR < 90 mL/min/1.73 m²); anemia and elevated HbA1c were associated with significantly lower eGFR.

Conclusions:

• Anemia and elevated HbA1c are prevalent among sugarcane cutters and are associated with reduced kidney function.
• The findings suggest a potential link between anemia and underlying chronic conditions, warranting further investigation.
• Results underscore the importance of nutritional assessment and intervention programs for agricultural workers in resource-limited settings.