OPTA: Optimal treatment of anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Abstract

In the early stages of CKD, anaemia is nonsymptomatic. Patients adapt to a certain level and to further declining haemoglobin (Hb) levels. The fact that modest decrements in renal function already lead to a decrease in Hb levels is underestimated, especially outside the nephrology field, e.g. patients with diabetes [1]. In many European countries, patients with CKD are managed by non-nephrologists who are not treating or are not allowed to treat mild anaemia. The referral to nephrologists is late, often too late. Even under the care of nephrologists, many patients start anaemia treatment too late.