This observational and descriptive study examined the prevalence of anemia among a cohort of 1073 diabetic patients residing in Nouakchott, Mauritania. It also explored the complex interactions between anemia, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease (CKD), while analyzing variations based on gender, age, and ethnic origin.

The results reveal a prevalence of anemia reaching 13.4% within the study population. Most cases were characterized by mild anemia, followed closely by moderate anemia, while cases of severe anemia were rare. Furthermore, it is important to note that most cases of mild and moderate anemia were associated with relatively normal kidney function. Demographically, women, with an average age of 55, were three times more affected by anemia than men, who had an average age of 61. The highest prevalence of anemia were observed in women aged 41 to 50 and in men aged 51 to 60. Ethnic data also revealed that Moors constituted the majority of anemia-affected patients, accounting for 76.4%, while Blacks represent only 23.6% of this population. These findings highlight the importance of closely monitoring anemia in diabetic patients, especially in women and specific ethnic groups. They also underscore the complexity of the relationships between anemia, diabetes, and CKD, paving the way for future research to better understand these interactions and enhance the management of these patients.