Chronic Kidney Disease and Anaemia of Chronic Disease: Erythropoietin Response and Iron Utilisation Defects in Patients at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, North Central Nigeria

Background: Anaemia is the most prevalent complication of chronic kidney disease and is driven by erythropoietin deficiency, absolute iron deficiency, functional iron restriction, and chronic inflammation. Nigerian nephrology data characterising the interplay between erythropoietin response and iron utilisation in chronic kidney disease-associated anaemia are insufficient to guide local treatment algorithms. Objectives: This study aims to measure serum erythropoietin, soluble transferrin receptor, serum ferritin, hepcidin, and full blood count parameters in patients at various stages of chronic kidney disease attending the nephrology clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, to delineate the relative contributions of erythropoietin deficiency and iron dysregulation to anaemia severity. Methods: One hundred patients across chronic kidney disease stages 2 to 5 (non-dialysis) and thirty healthy controls will be recruited. Erythropoietin and hepcidin will be quantified by ELISA. Iron studies and full blood count will be performed using standard laboratory methods. ANOVA across disease stages and multiple regression analysis will be applied. Expected Outcomes: Erythropoietin levels are expected to plateau at advanced stages despite worsening anaemia, with hepcidin elevation and functional iron deficiency becoming dominant mechanisms in stages 4 and 5. Conclusion: Findings will refine the physiological understanding of chronic kidney disease-associated anaemia in Nigeria. Keywords: chronic kidney disease, anaemia, erythropoietin, hepcidin, University of Ilorin.