Anaemia of renal failure: Differences between continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis

Abstract

SUMMARY: A cross‐sectional study was performed to assess a series of parameters, especially those related to iron status, that may account for differences in the anaemia of patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and haemodialysis (HD). Patients on CAPD (n = 37) and on haemodialysis (n = 27) were selected on the basis of clinical stability and absence of factors that may interfere with iron metabolism. Parameters measured included routine haematological and biochemical profile; serum iron metabolism (serum iron, transferrin saturation capacity, transferrin saturation index, serum ferritin); erythrocyte ferritin; bone marrow erythroid components and semiqualitative analysis of iron deposits in the bone marrow. The CAPD patients showed higher levels of haemoglobin and transferrin saturation capacity as well as lower serum ferritin than patients on haemodialysis. In the bone marrow, CAPD patients had a higher percentage of red blood cells and in those with low iron‐containing macrophages a higher percentage of sideroblasts than the haemodialysis group. Erythrocyte ferritin levels were similar in both groups. These data suggest more efficient iron metabolism in CAPD patients than in patients on haemodialysis.