A randomized controlled study comparing once-weekly to every-2-week and every-4-week dosing of epoetin alfa in CKD patients with anemia.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Extended-interval dosing of epoetin alfa (EPO) is commonly used to treat anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aimed to demonstrate that EPO dosed every 2 weeks (Q2W) and every 4 weeks (Q4W) was noninferior to once-weekly (QW) dosing.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

430 anemic subjects with stage 3 to 4 CKD receiving a stable QW dose of EPO were randomized 1:1:2 to QW, Q2W, and Q4W dosing for 36 weeks. Hemoglobin (Hb) was measured weekly, and the dose of EPO was adjusted to maintain an Hb level of 11.0 to 11.9 g/dl. The primary endpoint was change in Hb from baseline to the average of the last 12 weeks of treatment.

Results

Both the Q2W and Q4W dosing groups were noninferior to the QW group. The estima

SUBMITTER: Pergola PE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2849701 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature