| [ Summary ] |
Anemia is prevalent in patients receiving dialysis and is associated with excess mortality and morbidity, as well as decreased quality of life (QOL). Since erythropoietin deficiency is a chief contributing factor, erythropoiesisstimulating agents (ESA) have provided major advances in the management of anemia. Iron administration is frequently needed for patients with iron deficiency especially after ESA treatment. Iron status is assessed by determining serum ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) levels. A number of international guidelines have set different criteria for iron administration using these markers. Since iron administration may induce infectious disease, increased oxidative stress, and arterial sclerosis, excessive administration must be avoided. We must examine the necessity of iron administration not only in relation to guidelines but also in terms of the characteristics of individual patients. |