Anemia is relatively common in the immediate period (first 3 months) following a renal transplant. Poesen et al identified risk factors which can help to identify a patient who may benefit from an intervention. The authors are from University Hospital Leuven in Belgium.
Patient selection: renal transplant patient during the first 3 months after transplant
Outcome: anemia (<= 13 g/dL for males; <= 12 g/dL for females)
Risk factors for lower hemoglobin at 3 months after the transplant:
(1) older donor
(2) poor graft function (low eGFR at three months)
(3) low iron stores, especially if there is interruption of iron supplements
(4) discontinuation of erythropoiesis-stimulating drugs after the transplant
(5) pre-transplant anemia
(6) longer hospital stay after transplant
where:
• Donor age had a mean of 45 years +/- 15. A donor age > 50 will be used to indicate an older donor.
Risk factors for anemia soon after transplant (or during follow-up period):
(1) increased blood loss during surgery
(2) repeated phlebotomies for diagnostic testing
Factors associated with a higher hemoglobin at 3 months after transplant:
(1) history of polycystic disease
(2) male gender
