title: Change in darbepoetin alfa administration schedule affects erythropoiesis-stimulating agent resistance in patients with chronic kidney disease receiving hemodialysis.
abstract: One hundred and four patients receiving hemodialysis and undergoing anaemia treatment with darbepoetin alfa intravenously once weekly were switched to a biweekly dosing schedule and followed for 24 weeks. The darbepoetin alfa dose was adjusted to maintain the target Hb concentration of 11-14 g/dL. A significant decline in the erythropoiesis-stimulating agent resistance index was observed over the 24-week follow-up, beginning with week 16, whereas the mean dose of darbepoetin alfa did not change significantly after switching to the biweekly dosing schedule. Other factors that might affect resistance to erythropoiesis remained unchanged.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario de Cartagena, Nefroclub Carthago, Cartagena, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: Maria Jose
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Gracia
authors.forename: Gracia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Alarcon
authors.forename: Maria Angeles
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Garcia
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006435:Renal Dialysis
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa