EPO and anemia (phenotype): Erythropoietin deficiency (due to a disruption in renal erythropoietin-producing cells) in ESRD leads to anemia which is associated with several morbidities, CKD progression, and higher all-cause mortality.49,50 A multicenter study showed that a serum Hb level of 11‒25 g/dL could prolong OS in patients undergoing HD.18 Similarly, the findings of the current research revealed that the risk of death in MDHD patients with a serum Hb level of < 12.5 g/dL was almost three times higher than that of other patients.