title: Use of methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta in stage 3, 4 or 5 non-dialysis chronic kidney disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (PEG-EPO) is indicated for the treatment of anaemia due to chronic kidney disease. Its long half-life allows it to be administered once per month in maintenance therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the use, effectiveness and cost of PEG-EPO in a group of pre-dialysis chronic renal failure patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective observational study in pre-dialysis patients who began treatment with PEG-EPO between May 2008 and February 2009. The following data were gathered: age, sex, haemoglobin levels (Hb) and erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) dose and frequency. The follow-up period was 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We included 198 patients. Mean Hb upon starting PEG-EPO in patients who had received no prior treatment was 10.8g/l, and 11.6g/l at 90 days (P<.0001). In patients previously treated with ESA, mean Hb before starting PEG-EPO treatment was 11.2g/l, and 11.4g/l at 12 months (P=.846). Hb values were higher than 12g/l (P<.0001) after 12 months of treatment in 25% of patients; of these, 45% had values above 13g/l. We observed doses 39% lower than those indicated on the drug leaflet, resulting in a reduction in the originally expected theoretical costs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The doses of PEG-EPO administered to patients with a prior history of ESA treatment were lower than those indicated by the drug leaflet, and Hb remained stable after 12 months of treatment. A large portion of the patients had levels above the 13g/l threshold.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain. npadulles@bellvitgehospital.cat
authors.forename: Núria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Padullés-Zamora
authors.forename: Dolors
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Comas-Sugrañes
authors.forename: M del Mar
authors.initials: Mdel M
authors.lastname: Pineda-Yuste
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jódar-Masanés
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martínez-Castelao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C103998:epoetin beta; D004921:Erythropoietin; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols