Abstract: 【Abstract】 Objective To study the relationship between transferrin saturation and the achievement of targeted hemoglobin level in hemodialysis patients. Methods One hundred thirteen hemodialysis patients (mean age 63±13 years; 62 males and 51 females) were treated in the dialysis center in Jan. 2011, and were followed up until July 2011. Their hemoglobin was measured every month, and their serum iron, ferrtin and total iron-binding capacity were examined every three months. The targeted hemoglobin level was set at 110-125 g/l. Patients were classified based on their hemoglobin level in the 6 months into two groups: continuous achievement of targeted hemoglobin group and discontinuous achievement of targeted hemoglobin group. Results Nineteen patients were in the continuous achievement of targeted hemoglobin group and ninety-four patients in the discontinuous achievement of targeted hemoglobin group. The variation of hemoglobin level was significantly lower and the transferin saturation was significantly higher in continuous achievement of targeted hemoglobin group than in discontinuous achievement of targeted hemoglobin group. Serum albumin, iron, ferrtin, total iron-binding capacity, intact PTH, pre-dialysis calcium and phosphate, and dialysis adequacy were statistically indifferent between the two groups. Conclusions Appropriate transferrin saturation (mean=32.8%) is beneficial for continuous achievement of targeted hemoglobin level in hemodialysis patients

Key words: Hemodialysis, Transferrin saturation, Hemoglobin variation