Anemia Treatment in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Anemia develops in most persons with progressive chronic kidney disease. When it becomes severe, the administration of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) is generally required, along with the repletion of iron stores and the correction of other causes of anemia. The introduction of ESAs 30 years ago markedly improved the lives of many patients with chronic kidney disease, who until then had severe, often transfusion-dependent anemia.1 Two types of recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin alfa and epoetin beta) have been available since ESAs first came into use; both types are highly effective but short-acting (approved for dosing three times a week). Subsequently, two . . .