Issue 152 Item 14 Anemia Common Among Diabetics

Anemia is common in patients with diabetes, especially in those with albuminuria or reduced renal function, (23%) had unrecognized anemia. ” Anemia is common in diabetes, potentially contributing to the pathogenesis of diabetes complications,” Dr. Merlin C. Thomas, of Baker Medical Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia, and colleagues note. In a cross-sectional study of 820 diabetic patients, they examined the prevalence and independent predictors of anemia.

Over a 2-year period, the researchers obtained a full blood count and routine blood and urine tests. They used multiple and logistic regression analyses to determine predictors of the most recent Hb concentration and anemia.

The investigators report that 190 patients (23%) had unrecognized anemia. “This prevalence is two to three times higher than for patients with comparable renal impairment and iron stores in the general population,” Dr. Thomas and colleagues explain.

Transferrin saturation, glomerular filtration rate, sex, albumin excretion rate, and HbA1c level independently predicted Hb levels (all p < 0.0001). Compared with normoalbuminuric patients with preserved renal function, those with microalbuminuria and those with macroalbuminuria were more likely to have anemia (odds ratio 2.3 and 10.1, respectively). ” This study demonstrates that anemia is an early and common complication of diabetes,” the researchers conclude. In their study population, strong predictors of anemia included a glomerular filtration rate of less than 60 mL/min and macroalbuminuria. Diabetes Care 2003;26:1164-1169. =========================== FOOD FACT: In 1961 Bread, Chips or other pre meal foods were charged for or only given free 13% of the time. In 2003 Bread, Chips or other pre meal foods are given free 66% of the time.