Hematologic Alterations In Renal Disease: Pathological Mechanisms And Clinical Correlates

Abstract

Hematologic abnormalities are common and clinically significant complications of renal disease, contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, and reduced quality of life. Anaemia, iron dysregulation, platelet dysfunction, and immune abnormalities arise from complex interactions between impaired kidney function, chronic inflammation, and disrupted haematopoiesis. Advances in molecular and clinical research have expanded understanding of these processes and reshaped therapeutic strategies. This review aims to synthesise current evidence on hematologic alterations in renal disease, focusing on underlying pathological mechanisms and their clinical correlates, while highlighting emerging biomarkers and therapeutic innovations. A narrative review of recent experimental, translational, and clinical literature was conducted, with emphasis on studies published between 2021 and 2025. Key areas examined include anaemia pathophysiology, iron metabolism disorders, platelet and coagulation abnormalities, immune cell dysfunction, disease-specific hematologic complications, prognostic biomarkers, and novel therapeutic approaches. Renal disease disrupts the kidney-bone marrow-immune axis, leading to impaired erythropoietin production, inflammation-driven iron sequestration, reduced erythrocyte lifespan, platelet dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. These abnormalities contribute to cardiovascular disease, infection susceptibility, thrombotic and bleeding risks, and progression of kidney dysfunction. Emerging therapies, particularly hypoxia-inducible factor-based agents and strategies targeting inflammatory and iron-regulatory pathways, offer mechanism-based alternatives to traditional treatments. Hematologic biomarkers such as anaemia severity and leukocyte-derived indices show promise for prognostic stratification. Hematologic alterations in renal disease reflect interconnected pathophysiological processes with significant clinical implications. Integrating mechanistic insights, biomarker-driven risk assessment, and precision therapeutic strategies is essential to improving outcomes and advancing holistic management of patients with renal disease.