Background and Aims:
Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease which can be treated with erythropoietin (EPO). We compared the outcomes of EPO-alpha and EPO-beta in children on maintenance hemodialysis.
Settings and Design:
This was a retrospective cohort study.
Methods:
Hemodialysis patients aged 12 to <19 years with hemoglobin ≥8 to <11 g/dL were grouped according to the type of EPO they received. Successful treatment was defined as achievement of hemoglobin ≥11g/dL within 3 months of treatment and successful maintenance as hemoglobin ≥11g/dL for ≥3 months after successful treatment. The effectiveness and treatment cost using EPO-A and EPO-B were compared. Standard statistical tests were used, including Chi-square, Fisher's exact, Student's t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test, and multiple regression.
Results:
Thirty-two subjects were included with 16 patients in each group. Patients receiving EPO-B, compared to EPO-A, more often achieved successful treatment (75% vs. 31.2%, P = 0.03; EPO-A adjusted odds ratio, 0.07; 95% confidence interval, 0.01–0.71) and maintenance (50% vs. 40%, P = 0.99). EPO-B required lower doses than EPO-A for successful treatment (208 ± 151 vs. 393 ± 140 U/kg/week; P = 0.03) and maintenance (P = 0.99). The median increase of hemoglobin using EPO-B was higher (P = 0.002) beyond the first month. Hypertensive episodes were similar in both groups. Therapy costs were lower with EPO-B than EPO-A during treatment (P = 0.04) and maintenance (P = 0.32) phases.
Conclusions:
This is the first study that directly compares EPO-A and EPO-B in children on maintenance hemodialysis. EPO-B was more effective than EPO-A in the management of anemia in children on maintenance hemodialysis. Both agents had comparable safety profiles. Prospective large studies are required to confirm these findings.