The prevalence of hematologic and metabolic abnormalities during chronic kidney disease stages in different ethnic groups

We conducted an observational cross-sectional study to determine if the prevalence of hematologic and metabolic abnormalities in chronic kidney disease (CKD) varied in different ethnic groups. We used a CKD provincial database where a complete data set at the time of registration was available as well as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which showed using the abbreviated MDRD formula that the patients had CKD of stages 3-5. We included patients with self-reported race of Caucasian, Oriental Asian, or South Asian. Primary outcomes were the prevalence of at least one of the following: anemia, hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, hyperparathyroidism, hypoalbuminemia, and three or more laboratory abnormalities. All definitions were consistent with K/DOQI guidelines. When compared with Caucasians, Oriental Asians and South Asians had a higher prevalence of many of the metabolic abnormalities during most stages of CKD and were more likely to have any abnormality at all levels of eGFR. The prevalence of three or more laboratory abnormalities was higher in Oriental Asians at all stages and in South Asians at some levels of eGFR. These results were unchanged or exaggerated when controlled for age, gender, diabetes, and a primary diagnosis of renal disease. Hence, it appears that South Asians and Oriental Asians have more laboratory abnormalities compared with Caucasians at most levels of eGFR.