The Impact of Anemia Treatment on Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease in the Contemporary Era.

Abstract

The treatment of anemia with erythropoietic-stimulating agents is now part of the routine care of patients with CKD with guidelines for anemia management carefully outlined by Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes. The treatment of anemia impacts the health-related quality of life of CKD patients, primarily affecting the domains of energy/vitality and physical functioning. Improvements in these domains occur, in general, most noticeably when hemoglobin levels are raised from below 9 g/dL to the 10-12 range, with limited improvements occurring when hemoglobin levels are increased above 12 g/dL. Importantly, individual patient responses to anemia treatment vary depending on a variety of factors and it is important to assess the impact of treatment on each patient, particularly as nephrology care moves to a patient-centered care model.