END STAGE RENAL DISEASE

Objectives: To study hematological profile in geriatric cases undergoinghemodialysis and compare with non-geriatric. Study Design: Descriptive Cross SectionalStudy. Setting: Department of Nephrology & Medicine, Rawal Institute of Health SciencesIslamabad. Study Duration: 12 months (June 2016-June 2017). Material and Methods: Adultpatients (>18years) diagnosed as end stage renal disease (ESRD), undergoing maintenancehemodialysis for >3 months included after ethical approval and consent. Group A had 88geriatric ESRD cases (>65 years); group B had 88 non-geriatric (<65 years). Data analyzedby SPSS version 17. Hematological profile and other variables compared between two groupsby Chi-Square and t-test (significant p<0.05). Results: Among 166 ESRD cases (69% malesand 31% females), mean age was 54.9+10.6 years. Anemia present in 89% (group A) vs.74% (group B; p=0.012). Mean hemoglobin was 8.57+2.00 (group A) vs. 9.27+2.39 (groupB; p=0.035). Mean platelets count was lower among geriatrics; however leukocyte countscomparable between two groups. Mean eGFR was 7.95+2.68 (group A) vs. 9.16+4.04(group B; p=0.020). Diabetes and hypertension were frequent in geriatric group (p<0.05).No difference in hepatitis B, C and congestive cardiac failure observed. BMI was 26.74+5.87(group A) vs. 22.43+4.83 (group B; p<0.0001). Lack of social support observed in 25% (groupA) vs. 9% (group B). Conclusion: Anemia is frequent observation in ESRD hemodialysis cases.Geriatric ESRD hemodialysis cases have significantly low hemoglobin levels than non-geriatric.Hence, suggested that old age to be considered as an additional risk factor for anemia in ESRDhemodialysis cases. Geriatric ESRD hemodialysis cases should undergo frequent anemiascreening and timely intervention. Iron supplementation, dietary modification, erythropoietinadministration and blood transfusion as per indication needs to be individualized in geriatriccases to improve hematological parameters and quality of life.