A REVIEW OF THE UPDATED EUROPEAN BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF ANAEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE

Abstract

The management of anaemia of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has progressed significantly during the last decade. Research studies show that effective treatment of anaemia in adult patients with CKD can reduce cardiovascular complications slow progression of renal failure, and improve quality of life. To ensure adult patients receive optimum care, evidence-based practice and recognised guidelines and management strategies are needed to help reduce variations in clinical practice. In 1999 a working party of European Nephrologists developed the European Best Practice Guidelines (EBPG) for Management of Anaemia in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure to address this issue. Since the publication of the guidelines in 1999, over 3,000 papers relating to anaemia in CKD, have been published, many of which have significant implications for the practice of anaemia management. To ensure that the most up to date scientific evidence is available to those who manage anaemia in CKD the guidelines were revised in 2004. These guidelines, look at the anaemia management of adults with CKD and do not include guidelines for children.