Abstract: 【Abstract】Objective To explore the relationship between whole blood zinc level and anemia in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods This single- center and cross- sectional study included 150 MHD patients treated in Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital in September 2019. Clinical data and medications were collected, and blood routine, serum biochemical indexes and whole blood zinc were measured before dialysis. The patients were divided into 2 groups: the anemia group (n=98) and the non-anemia group (n=52). Clinical characteristics of the two groups were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the relevant factors of anemia. The value of whole blood zinc for the diagnosis of anemia was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results Compared with the non-anemic group, the anemic group had lower whole blood zinc (t=0.608, P<0.001). Spearman analysis showed positive correlation between whole blood zinc level and Hb (r=0.711, P<0.001). Multivariate dichotomous logistic regression indicated that low whole blood zinc and gender were the independently related factors for anemia in MHD patients (OR=0.331, 95% CI:0.219～0.502, P<0.001; OR=2.770, 95% CI：1.0147～6.690, P=0.024). ROC curve suggested that the optimal threshold of whole blood zinc level for the diagnosis of anemia in MHD patients was 5.95mg/L (AUC=0.824, 95% CI：0.755-0.893, P<0.001). Conclusion Low whole blood zinc is an independent factor for anemia in MHD patients. Keeping whole blood zinc above 5.95mg/L may reduce the risk of anemia.

Key words: Anemia, Whole blood zinc, Maintenance hemodialysis