Al-Salman M
Aim: Anemia is found to contribute to the development and progression of micro and macro-vascularcomplications of diabetes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia in patients with diabetes and the occurrence of micro and macro vascular complications in them.
Method: This was a retrospective study of 227 Saudi patients with diabetes regularly followed up as outpatients for one year. Patient's demographic profile, history of stroke, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and concomitant hypertension (HT) along with the most recent values of complete blood picture and renal function tests were collected from the database of the health center.
Results: The prevalence of anemia in our study population is 55.5%, which is two to three times more common as compared to the result from previous studies. Anemia was six times more common (53.9%) compared to the previous study for the same GFR value (GFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and half of them in stage one kidney disease.
Conclusion: Anemia is a common accompaniment with diabetes and it is seen early even in the absence of renal impairment which necessitate early screening of anemia and further studies to know the possible etiology.