Blood Lead Level among Chronic Kidney Diseases Patients Attended Medical City Hospital in Baghdad 2022

Abstract

Abstract Background: Lead is a highly toxic metal. Multiple lead exposures produce serious poisoning and sometimes fatality because lead builds up slowly in the exposed body. Signs of repeated exposure to lead are high blood pressure, numbness or tingling of the extremities, memory loss, anemia, and kidney dysfunction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who attended to medical city hospital. The study was conducted from January 2 to May 31, 2022. Inclusion criteria were by involved adults ≥30 years old with CKD of both genders. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured for all patients according to the Cockcroft-Gault equation. Whole blood samples were taken to measure lead levels in the Toxicology Center of Baghdad Medical City. The collection of data was done by interview using a special questionnaire. Verbal consent was taken as an ethical issue by each participant in the study. Results: A total of 315 CKD patients were involved. The mean blood lead level was 24.62 μg/dL, the range was between 15 μg/dL, and 33 μg/dL for both genders, which is higher than the cut point of 10 μg/dL depended in this study. About 38.4%, and 30.8% of patients had GFR (15–29 mL/min/1.73 m2), and (<15) mL/min/1.73 m2 and they were considered as stage 4 and 5 CKD patients, respectively. Conclusions: Lead level in blood and GFR had a significant association.