[Erythrocyte morphological alterations as predictors of kidney injury severity].

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by decreased renal function. Detecting and treating CKD in its early stages is essential for prognosis and use of less invasive renal treatments. CKD can manifest with different markers of renal damage. However, few studies evaluate the presence of erythrocyte morphological changes in the peripheral blood of patients with CKD.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between erythrocyte morphological changes and KDIGO stage as a predictor of the severity of renal damage.

Material and methods: A descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional, and correlational study of patients admitted between March and April 2023. Qualitative variables were reported as frequencies and percentages, and quantitative variables were reported by central tendency and dispersion measures. Finally, Spearman correlation was performed between erythrocyte morphological alterations and the KDIGO stage in patients with CKD.

Results: A total of 385 patients were included, and the correlation of the number of erythrocyte morphological alterations with the KDIGO stage showed that it is directly proportional in a significant way (Spearman's ρ 0.489, p < 0.0001). It was higher for anisocytosis.

Conclusions: Erythrocyte morphological alterations in patients with CKD are frequent and could be a predictor of the severity of this disease.