title: Anemia management in chronic kidney disease.
abstract: Anemia is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to a state of erythropoietin deficiency. Erythropoietin therapy has been used for approximately 20 years to correct anemia in CKD and to improve both subjective and objective outcomes. Guidelines that establish a hemoglobin (Hb) goal for anemia correction in CKD patients are largely based on observational data. Controversy still exists, however, because outcomes have not been consistent with various degrees of anemia correction. The number of prospective randomized trials investigating the effects of anemia correction on cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in CKD patients, an already high-risk group, is limited. With respect to improving CV outcomes in the CKD population, the currently available trial data caution against raising Hb levels in CKD patients to approach more "normal" physiologic ranges. The disappointing experience with the trial data must be weighed against the beneficial associations of erythropoietin therapy that have been generated from observational data. Establishing the ideal target Hb ranges for anemia correction in CKD patients remains a dynamic process and leaves many gray areas to be further elucidated. Here, we present a case that underscores the need to consider the study design when reviewing the data at a population level in order to determine what is most appropriate for our patient.
authors.affiliation: Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Gillespie
authors.forename: Jula K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Inrig
authors.forename: Lynda A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Szczech
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019468:Disease Management; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009398:Nephrology / Q000193:education; D006435:Renal Dialysis
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins