Comparison between Darbepoetin α and Epoetin α for Treatment of Anemia in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Darbepoetin α is a new erythropoietic agent. Its efficacy and dose conversion ratio for Taiwanese hemodialysis patients will be determined.METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review and included all regular hemodialysis patients who had switched from epoetin α to darbepoetin α. The darbepoetin α dose at six months and one year after the switch were compared with the epoetin α dose used before the switch.RESULTS: A total of 117 hemodialysis patients were included in the study. There was no significant difference in mean hemoglobin achieved by darbepoetin and epoetin (10.6 ± 1.0 g/dL versus 10.4 ± 1.0 g/dL, respectively). The mean frequency for darbepoetin treatment was 0.85 ± 0.19 times a week while that for epoetin treatment was 2.5 ± 0.6 times per week. The dose conversion ratio of darbepoetin α to epoetin α was 1:178 at 6 months and 1:183 at 12 months. The dose conversion ratio for patients with baseline epoetin ≤ 5000 units/week was 1:165 while that for baseline epoetin ＞ 5000 units/week was 1:189, implying that darbepoetin α had better efficacy for patients with baseline epoetin α dose ＞ 5000 units/week.CONCLUSION: Darbepoetin α was effective for treatment of anemia in hemodialysis patients with reduced frequency of administration and improved darbepoetin efficacy for patients with baseline epoetin α dose ＞ 5000 units/week.