Nadir hemoglobin levels after discontinuation of epoetin in hemodialysis patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

In hemodialysis patients, both hemoglobin variability and targeting normalization of hemoglobin may have adverse consequences. There are few data on epoetin management in patients achieving high hemoglobin levels.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Maintenance hemodialysis patients within Dialysis Clinic Inc. (DCI) who were treated with a 20 to 30% epoetin dose reduction versus epoetin discontinuation following achievement of a hemoglobin level of > or = 13 g/dl were evaluated. The primary outcome was nadir hemoglobin within 2 months of epoetin reduction or discontinuation.

Results

There were 2789 patients in whom epoetin was discontinued and 754 patients in whom epoetin was reduced after hemoglobin > or = 13 g/dl. Patients treated

SUBMITTER: Calvo JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2974403 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature