Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease

Anemia of chronic kidney disease(CKD) is a complex pathophysiological disorder which causes a significant increase in morbidity and mortality, cost of care, and decrease in quality of life. Anemia of CKD results primarily from decrease in total iron and accessible iron, as well as a relative decrease in erythropoietin. The effect of the chronic inflammatory state associated with CKD results in a number of detrimental effects on iron handling. There are important open questions in the management of anemia of CKD, particularly the parameters for use of iron repletion, the appropriate targets of therapy, and minimization of risks associated with both anemia and its treatment.