While anemia is an indicator of chronic kidney disease (CKD), it hadn’t previously been studied in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). This is because hemoglobin (Hb) levels tend to be higher in ADPKD patients, and low Hb is typically a sign of a low red blood cell count, i.e., anemia. Thus, a recent study published in Clinical and Experimental Nephrology investigated anemia as a sign of renal prognosis in ADPKD patients.*

Background information

ADPKD is a genetic disorder caused by mutations (changes) in one of two genes: PKD1 and PKD2. Changes in these genes leads to the formation of cysts, which gradually enlarge the kidneys. Patients with this progressive disease may also have cysts in other organs, like the liver and pancreas. 

More than half of all patients with ADPKD will ultimately develop end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and require dialysis or kidney transplantation. 

Research and investigation details

Researchers from various departments and divisions of Tokyo Women’s Medical University in Tokyo, Japan, investigated whether anemia is a possible prognostic factor in autosomal ADPKD. They examined a group of 115 non-dialysis ADPKD patients (48 men and 67 women) over a medium time of 5.5 years.

Results and conclusions

The researchers found “that anemia may be a factor for poor renal prognosis in ADPKD.” They also discovered that the effect of anemia is slightly different in men and women.

A higher risk of kidney disease progressions was seen in:

• men with Hb levels lower than 12 g/dL (grams per deciliter), and 
• in women with Hb levels lower than 11 g/dL.

To better understand g/dL, a gram (g) is about one-thirtieth (1/30) of an ounce, and a deciliter (dL) measures fluid volume equal to one-tenth (1/10) of a liter (L).

Therefore, anemia and low Hb are factors for poor kidney prognosis in ADPKD, which makes ADPKD similar to CKD in this regard. These findings suggest the importance of early introduction of anemia treatment for ADPKD patients

Additional information can be found in the Renal and Urology News article, “Anemia in ADPKD Possibly Linked to Poor Renal Prognosis.” 

*Ushio, Y.; Kataoka, H.; Sato, M.; Manabe, S.; et al. (2020, June). “Association Between Anemia and Renal Prognosis in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Retrospective Study.” Clinical and Experimental Nephrology.