THE INFLUENCE OF THE INFLAMMATORY PROCESS ON SERUM IRON CONCENTRATION IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction: Renal insufficiency is characterized by decreased renal function whose treatment consists of long-term renal replacement therapy by hemodialysis. Patients undergoing hemodialysis commonly present acute or chronic inflammation, which may change some inflammatory markers, including ferritin. As a result, these changes may modify parameters related to iron metabolism. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 46 patients of both sexes with chronic renal disease undergoing hemodialysis. The subjects were selected from the Clínica Renal do Extremo Oeste Catarinense. Blood samples were collected before hemodialysis sessions and subsequently measured for serum concentrations of urea, creatinine, CRP, iron and ferritin. Results: There was an increase in the renal markers for creatinine (8.8 mg / dL for men and 8.5 mg / dL for women) and urea (191 mg / dL for men and 165 mg / dL for women), with no significant differences between men and women (p = 0.56). The results showed concentrations of serum iron (57.6 mg / dL), ferritin (412 mg / dL) and CRP (6.8 mg / dL) higher in men, and only women had ferritin levels (376 mg / dL) above the recommended reference values. A positive and significant correlation between CRP and ferritin was found (p = 0.001, r = 0.4474) as well as a negative correlation between iron and CRP (p = -0.04, r -0.3003). Conclusion: Patients with chronic renal disease undergoing hemodialysis had significantly increased inflammatory markers when compared to the recommended reference values. Acute-phase proteins, in particular ferritin, can interfere with the serum iron concentration providing a functional deficit of this compound, which can contribute to the development of anemia in these patients. DESCRIPTORS Ferritin. Hemodialysis. kidney failure. Inflammation.