Anemia in chronic kidney disease – 4 Interesting Facts
1. The anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is primarily caused by deficiency of erythropoietin.
2. Many patients with CKD not receiving hemodialysis and most patients receiving hemodialysis are iron deficient and require iron supplementation.
3. Because higher target hemoglobin levels and higher erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) doses have been associated with adverse outcomes, the FDA recommends using the smallest ESA dose sufficient to reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions.
4. Biosimilar ESAs and hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors may be promising alternatives to anemia treatment with “originator” ESAs.
