[Changing the frequency of administration of darbepoetin alfa (from weekly to fortnightly) maintains the haemoglobin levels in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis].
BACKGROUND
Less frequent dosing regimens during anemia treatment could benefit Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) patients. We investigated the effectiveness of darbepoetin alfa dosed every-other-week (Q2W) for maintaining hemoglobin (Hb) levels (11-13 g/dL).


METHODS
One hundred and nine PD patients from 14 centers participated in an 8-month observational, prospective study. Patients (Hb 11-13 g/dL) receiving weekly (QW) darbepoetin alfa switched to Q2W dosing at the investigator's discretion. Doses were adjusted according to published guidelines.


RESULTS
Sixty-nine percent (75 out of 109) of patients switched to Q2W dosing. Thirty-three percent maintained the g/week, equivalent to twice the previous mean weekly dose (26.1-25.8 g/week, QW dose). Forty-seven percent received a dose reduction (35.8-20.2 equivalent to the previous QW dose). More patients in the maintenance dose group 11 g/dL than those receiving a reduced weekly dose (80% vs. had Hb levels 51.4%, respectively, p = 0.0236). During the Q2W phase, the mean Hb level ranged from 12.0-12.5 g/dL for the maintenance dose group and 11.5-12.0 g/dL for the reduced dose group. From the switch to the end of the study, the mean (SD) change in Hb was -0.7 g/dL (0.98 g/dL, p = 0.0557) and -0.6 g/dL (1.6 g/dL, p = 0.1296) for the maintenance and reduced dose groups, respectively. The Q2W darbepoetin alfa was well tolerated. Only a single treatment-related adverse event (polycythemia) occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of PD patients receiving QW darbepoetin alfa can be effectively switched to Q2W and still maintain their Hb level.
Bajo
M A
MA
Servicio de Nefrología, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain. mabajo.hulp@salud.madrid.org
Pérez Fontán
M
M
Remón
C
C
Sánchez-Tomero
J A
JA
Lladós
F
F
Selgas
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis; D011086:Polycythemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D006454:Hemoglobins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa