Latest strategy in renal anemia management in peritoneal dialysis patients.
The target of renal anemia correction with erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs) has been traditionally set at a hemoglobin (Hb) level of 11 - 12 g/dL. However, a trend has arisen of progressively increasing the Hb level to beyond 12 g/dL. Recent randomized control trials (RCTs) on correction of renal anemia in chronic kidney disease patients found that normalization of anemia to above 13 g/dL was associated with negative outcome parameters, echoing a previous RCT that showed increased death and myocardial infarction risk after normalization of hemoglobin level in hemodialysis patients. The latest consensus is to limit Hb to a level not exceeding 13 g/dL during renal anemia correction with ESAs. Currently, there are three ESAs available commercially. The choice of ESA should consider safety of subcutaneous administration, cost-effectiveness, and dosing frequency, all of which may affect compliance with ESA administration. Early identification of, and an early search for the causes of hyporesponsiveness to, ESAs is needed to avoid unnecessary escalation in the dose of ESAs. These approaches will help to improve the cost-effectiveness of ESA therapy and permit early detection of hidden problems. The current definitions of hyporesponsiveness are far too stringent and should be reviewed.
Lo
Wai Kei
WK
Tung Wah Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China. wkloc@hkucc.hku.hk
D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006397:Hematinics / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006452:Hemoglobinometry; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014131:Trace Elements; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D007501:Iron