Prevalence of Anemia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease in Kabul, Afghanistan

Abstract

Background: Anemia is one of the major complications of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). This study aims to determine the prevalence of anemia among CKD patients in Kabul, Afghanistan, to fill the data gap regarding this condition in the country.

Method and Materials: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2023 to March 2024, enrolling adult CKD patients diagnosed based on elevated serum urea and creatinine levels. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin levels below 13 g/dL in men and 12 g/dL in women.

Results: Of 2,427 patients screened, 82 were diagnosed with CKD. The overall prevalence of CKD was 3.38%, with 94% of CKD patients also diagnosed with anemia. The mean hemoglobin level for men was 8.65 g/dL, and for women, it was 9.05 g/dL. No significant differences were observed in hemoglobin levels across CKD stages or between genders.

Conclusion: The study reveals an alarmingly high prevalence of anemia (94%) among CKD patients in Kabul, far exceeding international averages. This highlights significant gaps in healthcare and socio-economic barriers affecting patient care.