title: Once-weekly epoetin alfa improves quality of life and increases hemoglobin in anemic HIV+ patients.
abstract: This prospective, open-label, multicenter trial evaluated the effects of once-weekly (qw) epoetin alfa on quality of life (QOL) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels in anemic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adult receiving antiretroviral therapy. A total of 650 patients with Hb < or = 11 g/dl received epoetin alfa 40,000 U qw subcutaneously, with dose escalation to 60,000 qw if Hb increase was <1 g/dl after 4 weeks. The linear Analog Scale Assessment (LASA) overall QOL score, LASA energy score, and LASA activity score each significantly improved from baseline to final measurement (p < 0.0001 for each parameter). Improvements in the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS)-HIV physical and mental health summary scores were also significant (p < 0.0001), and coincided with Hb increases. Mean Hb increased from baseline to final measurement by 2.5 g/dl (95% CI: 2.3, 2.6 g/dl; p < 0.0001). Objective hematological response rate, defined as a > or = 1 g/dl Hb increase from baseline to week 8, was 86%. Hemoglobin increased significantly in all subgroups of race, zidovudine use, CD4+ cell count, and viral load. Once-weekly epoetin alfa was well tolerated. Once-weekly epoetin alfa is effective in improving QOL and Hb measures.
authors.affiliation: AIDS Outpatient Clinic, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA. msaag@uab.edu
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Saag
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bowers
authors.forename: Gerhard J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Leitz
authors.forename: Alexandra M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa