Reduced responsiveness to epoetin at re-exposure after prolonged epoetin-free period in anemic hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To determine if temporary discontinuation of epoetin therapy in anemic patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) influences their responsiveness to epoetin.

Methods

We performed a post hoc analysis of the data from two consecutive single-center randomized trials (T1 and T2) comparing the efficacy of two epoetin products (E1 and E2) in anemic patients with ESRD. The analysis included a subset of 44 patients who participated in both trials and were not receiving epoetin in the period (median, 12 months; range 5-15) between the trials due to epoetin shortage. Two co-primary outcomes were average weekly hemoglobin difference from the baseline and average weekly epoetin dose.

Results

With adjustment for potential differences between E1 and E2, average weekly hemoglo

SUBMITTER: Milutinovic S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2080415 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature