Anemia and Red-Cell Size Across Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in a Hospital Laboratory Cohort
- 1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah City 11952, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Background/Objective: Anemia patterns may differ between population and hospital-tested cohorts. This paper aims to examine anemia frequency and red-cell size across estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in hospital records. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 37,831 adults aged 18–100 years tested at King Khalid Hospital, Saudi Arabia, during 2017–2021. For each individual, one complete blood count (CBC) record and one creatinine record from the same calendar month were analyzed. eGFR was calculated using the 2021 CKD-EPI creatinine equation. Modified Poisson, logistic and natural cubic spline models adjusted for age, sex, and calendar year. Results: Anemia occurred in 8762 participants (23.2%): 22.9%, 17.1%, 34.6%, and 72.1% at eGFR ≥ 90, 60–89, 30–59, and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Relative to eGFR 60–89, adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were 1.26 (1.19–1.33) for ≥90, 1.90 (1.75–2.07) for 30–59, and 3.98 (3.69–4.30) for <30. The association was nonlinear (p < 0.001). Among participants with anemia, the normocytic proportion increased from 56.6% at eGFR ≥ 90 to 82.7% at <30. In men, the adjusted normocytic-versus-microcytic odds ratio (OR) for <30 versus 60–89 was 2.70 (1.71–4.27). Conclusions: eGFR < 60 was associated with more frequent anemia. The proportion of anemia classified as normocytic was also greater in lower eGFR categories. Based on same-month CBC and creatinine records, these associations do not confirm CKD or determine anemia etiology.
Related
- Non-invasive assessment of estimated glomerular filtration rate using lens autofluorescence in a population without chronic kidney disease
- Meeting a Proposed Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Slope-Based Criterion for Clinical Remission of Chronic Kidney Disease During Sequential Kidney-Protective Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Report
- Association Between Admission Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate and Long-Term Mortality in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
- Kidney Health Biomarkers and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Among Indonesian Tofu Production Workers: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study.
- Association of Finerenone Dose and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) Slope Changes in Patients With Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Real-World Retrospective Study.
BibTeX
@article{madkhali2026anemia,
title = {{Anemia and Red-Cell Size Across Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in a Hospital Laboratory Cohort}},
author = {Yahya Madkhali},
journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/jcm15208120},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/20/8120},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Anemia and Red-Cell Size Across Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in a Hospital Laboratory Cohort
AU - Yahya Madkhali
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/19
JO - Journal of Clinical Medicine
DO - 10.3390/jcm15208120
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/20/8120
AB - Background/Objective: Anemia patterns may differ between population and hospital-tested cohorts. This paper aims to examine anemia frequency and red-cell size across estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in hospital records. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 37,831 adults aged 18–100 years tested at King Khalid Hospital, Saudi Arabia, during 2017–2021. For each individual, one complete blood count (CBC) record and one creatinine record from the same calendar month were analyzed. eGFR was calculated using the 2021 CKD-EPI creatinine equation. Modified Poisson, logistic and natural cubic spline models adjusted for age, sex, and calendar year. Results: Anemia occurred in 8762 participants (23.2%): 22.9%, 17.1%, 34.6%, and 72.1% at eGFR ≥ 90, 60–89, 30–59, and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Relative to eGFR 60–89, adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were 1.26 (1.19–1.33) for ≥90, 1.90 (1.75–2.07) for 30–59, and 3.98 (3.69–4.30) for <30. The association was nonlinear (p < 0.001). Among participants with anemia, the normocytic proportion increased from 56.6% at eGFR ≥ 90 to 82.7% at <30. In men, the adjusted normocytic-versus-microcytic odds ratio (OR) for <30 versus 60–89 was 2.70 (1.71–4.27). Conclusions: eGFR < 60 was associated with more frequent anemia. The proportion of anemia classified as normocytic was also greater in lower eGFR categories. Based on same-month CBC and creatinine records, these associations do not confirm CKD or determine anemia etiology.
SN - 2077-0383
ER -