title: Switch From Epoetin Beta to Darbepoetin Alfa Treatment of Anemia in Taiwanese Hemodialysis Patients: Dose Equivalence by Hemoglobin Stratification.
abstract: This multicenter study was designed to assess the hemoglobin (Hb) stability and conversion ratio of the switch from epoetin beta to darbepoetin alfa in Taiwanese hemodialysis (HD) patients. A total of 135 HD patients were enrolled and randomized with intravenous darbepoetin alfa or epoetin beta. The study duration was 24 weeks. Equivalent doses and conversion ratios were assessed with respect to Hb stratification: low Hb (≥8.0 g/dL to ≤10.0 g/dL) and high Hb (>10.0 g/dL to ≤11.0 g/dL). The results showed stable Hb levels in the study period. At week 24, the conversion ratio was higher for high Hb than low Hb (296.4 IU/dose epoetin beta: 1 µg/dose darbepoetin alfa. vs. 277.2 IU/dose epoetin beta: 1 µg/dose darbepoetin alfa). In conclusion, the conversion ratio in the present study was higher than 1 µg: 200 IU for darbepoetin alfa: epoetin for treating anemia in Taiwanese HD patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Kaohsiung Municipal Feng-Shan Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shang-Chih
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Chieh
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.affiliation: Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chien-Te
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chih-Hsiung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chin-Chan
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chun-Liang
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chiao-Yin
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ben-Chung
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chih-Chao
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chien-Hsing
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jin-Bor
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C103998:epoetin beta; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa
keywords: Anemia; Darbepoetin alfa; Epoetin beta; Hemodialysis