Correlation Between Renal Function and Haematological Parameters in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in North Karnataka

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition associated with significant haematological derangements, most notably anaemia. The interplay between declining renal function and haematological parameters remains an area of active clinical investigation.

Objectives: To evaluate the correlation between renal function markers (serum creatinine and blood urea) and haematological parameters (haemoglobin, red blood cell count, and packed cell volume) in patients with CKD, and to determine the prevalence of anaemia across different CKD stages.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 100 patients diagnosed with CKD (Stages 3b–5). Serum creatinine, blood urea, haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC), and packed cell volume (PCV) were measured. Pearson correlation coefficients were computed, and one-way ANOVA was used to compare parameters across CKD stages.

Results: The mean age was 52.9 ± 16.6 years with male predominance (58%). The majority (71%) were in CKD Stage 5. Serum creatinine showed significant negative correlations with Hb (r = −0.373, p = 0.0001), RBC (r = −0.279, p = 0.005), and PCV (r = −0.351, p = 0.0003). Blood urea also showed significant negative correlations with all three haematological parameters (p < 0.05). Hb, PCV, and creatinine differed significantly across CKD stages (ANOVA, p < 0.05). The overall prevalence of anaemia was 89%, increasing from 66.7% in Stage 3b to 91.5% in Stage 5.

Conclusion: Declining renal function is significantly associated with worsening haematological parameters in patients with CKD. The high prevalence of anaemia underscores the need for early haematological monitoring and timely intervention in CKD management.