Anemia with impaired erythropoietin response in diabetic patients

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased prevalence of anemia, particularly in patients with nephropathy. We undertook this survey to determine the relationship between anemia and the renal production of erythropoietin in patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods: The clinical data of 722 patients were obtained, including markers of diabetic complications. Erythropoietin levels were measured in the same samples. Patients with a full blood cell count, iron indexes, and renal function within the normal range (n = 151) were used to define the reference range for this population. Anemic patients who had erythropoietin levels within this range were defined as having an "inappr..