Posttransplantation Anemia: Etiology, Diagnosis and Management

Abstract

Posttransplantation anemia (PTA) is a common problem in the kidney transplant recipients. The incidence isapproximately 30%-40% depend on the definition, mostly defined by WHO/AST criteria. The causes of anemia aremultifactorial and variable with iron deficiency as the most important one. The allograft function may be involved inthe cause of anemia. Many studies revealed the relationship between anemia and the risk of the allograft loss but therelationship on mortality rate is less clear. Approach to the diagnosis of anemia in posttransplant recipients is thesame as in general population. Treatment is a topic of controversy due to the limitation of the evidence. The diagnosisand management are mostly based on trials from CKD patients with anemia.