Abstract

Background: Anemia management is critical for improving outcomes in chronic hemodialysis patients, particularly regarding
iron status. The study aims to measure the serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels in hemodialysis patients in two
Sulaimaniyah Governorate centers.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional observational study examines serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels in Sulaimani
City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Conducted across two hemodialysis centers from November 2021 to August 2023, the study
involved 180 patients on hemodialysis and aimed to evaluate iron and hemoglobin status for better anemia management in this
cohort. Hemoglobin and ferritin levels were assessed pre-dialysis, with ferritin categorized into four zones: White (<200 μg/L),
Green (200–500 μg/L), Yellow (500–1000 μg/L), and Red (>1000 μg/L).
Results: Results indicated that 65% of patients fell within the White Zone, indicating iron deficiency, while 8.33% were in the
Red Zone, suggesting potential iron overload. Most patients presented with low hemoglobin levels (8.7 g/dL), below the
recommended targets for anemia management in chronic kidney disease.
Conclusion: Regular iron and hemoglobin level monitoring is vital to prevent deficiency and overload, improving hemodialysis
patients' quality of life. This study offers a regional perspective, enhancing the broader understanding of anemia management
in the Middle East