Research Data from National Taiwan University Update Understanding of Chronic Kidney Disease (Restricted Use of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent is…

Hematology Week

Research Data from National Taiwan University Update Understanding of Chronic Kidney Disease (Restricted Use of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent is Safe and Associated with Deferred Dialysis Initiation in Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease)

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Hematology Week -- Fresh data on Kidney Diseases and Conditions - Chronic Kidney Disease are presented in a new report. According to news reporting originating from Taipei, Taiwan, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, "The effect of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) on dialysis initiation in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is not clear. We retrospectively analyzed the outcome of dialysis initiation in a stage 5 CKD cohort with ESA reimbursement limited to the maximal standardized monthly ESA dose equivalent to epoetin beta 20,000 U by the National Health Insurance program."

Our news editors obtained a quote from the research from National Taiwan University, "Totally 423 patients were followed up for a median of 1.37 year. A time-dependent Cox regression model, adjusted for monthly levels of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and hemoglobin, was constructed to investigate the association between ESA and outcome. The standardized monthly ESA dose in ESA users was 16,000-3,900 U of epoetin beta. Annual changes of hemoglobin were -0.29-2.19 and -0.99-2.46 g/dL in ESA users and ESA non-users, respectively (P=0.038). However, annual eGFR decline rates were not different between ESA users and non-users. After adjustment, ESA use was associated with deferred dialysis initiation (hazard ratio 0.63, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.93, P = 0.021). The protective effect remained when the monthly ESA doses were incorporated."

According to the news editors, the research concluded: "Our data showed that restricted use of ESA was safe and associated with deferred dialysis initiation in stage 5 CKD patients."

For more information on this research see: Restricted Use of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent is Safe and Associated with Deferred Dialysis Initiation in Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease. Scientific Reports, 2017;7():1-12. Scientific Reports can be contacted at: Nature Publishing Group, Macmillan Building, 4 Crinan St, London N1 9XW, England. (Nature Publishing Group - www.nature.com/; Scientific Reports - www.nature.com/srep/)

The news editors report that additional information may be obtained by contacting T.S. Chu, National Taiwan University, Dept. of Internal Med, Div Nephrol, Taipei, Taiwan. Additional authors for this research include W.C. Chiang, P.M. Chen, H.H. Liu, Y.H. Chou, T.S. Lai, C.F. Lai, Y.L. Chiu, W.Y. Lin, Y.M. Chen, T.S. Chu and S.L. Lin (see also Kidney Diseases and Conditions - Chronic Kidney Disease).

Keywords for this news article include: Taipei, Taiwan, Asia, Kidney Diseases and Conditions, Chronic Kidney Disease, Erythropoiesis, Hematology, National Taiwan University.