Abstract: ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the incidence of hypothyroidism, and its relevance with anemia in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Methodology：The clinical records of MHD patients in our hemodialysis center in the past 7 years (Jul 1, 2005~ Jul 1, 2012) were retrospectively studied by chi-square test and Mann–Whitney U test. Correlation coefficients between hypothyroidism and anemia were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Paired t-test was done to assess hypothyroidism treatment effectiveness on anemia. Results: In our study, 19(6.9%) of 274 MHD patients had hypothyroidism, including 7 male (4.9%) and 9 female (9.1%). Patients without hypothyroidism had a higher level of hemoglobin(Hb) than those hypothyroidism patients (u=15.262,ν=∞, P<0.001). Furthermore, statistically significant correlations could be found between Hb and Kt/V, Ferritin and hypothyroidism. Hb level increased obviously after hypothyroidism treatment(t=5.115, ν=18, P<0.0001). Conclusion: Patients with maintenance hemodialysis had a high incidence of hypothyroidism, which might result in secondary anemia as effective hypothyroidism treatment could reduce the anemia.

Key words: maintenance hemodialysis, hypothyroidism, anemia