A meta-analysis of 27 trials evaluating erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) treatment in 10,452 CKD patients shows that compared with a lower hemoglobin (Hb) target, higher Hb targets are associated with a 51% increased of stroke, a 67% increased risk of hypertension, and a 33% increased risk of vascular access thrombosis.

MUNICH, GERMANY—Among individuals with CKD, anemia occurs earlier in women than men, French researchers reported at the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association 2010 Congress.

Ferumoxytol, a novel IV iron replacement therapy for CKD patients with iron deficiency anemia, is well tolerated regardless of the number of injections or interval between injections, show data presented at the National Kidney Foundation's 2010 Spring Clinical Meetings.

Researchers who studied a group of non-dialysis CKD patients found that about one quarter of them suffered from iron deficiency anemia. They presented their findings at the National Kidney Foundation's 2010 Spring Clinical Meetings.

Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA) and plasma levels of hepcidin hold promise as novel markers of anemia in CKD patients, suggest data introduced at the National Kidney Foundation's 2010 Spring Clinical Meetings.

Hemoglobin (Hb) levels in non-dialysis CKD patients treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have been on the decline, according to researchers who presented their findings at the National Kidney Foundation's 2010 Spring Clinical Meetings. Possible reasons for the trend include changes to ESA labeling and the publication of studies challenging the value of higher Hb targets, which may have influenced how nephrologists manage CKD anemia.

Administration of ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) to anemic hemodialysis (HD) patients receiving erythropoietin (EPO) may decrease EPO requirements, suggest data presented at the National Kidney Foundation 2010 Spring Clinical Meetings.

Anemic pre-dialysis CKD patients who were switched from darbepoetin to epoetin alfa (EPO) maintained similar hemoglobin levels but at a lower cost, according to a study presented at the National Kidney Foundation's 2010 Spring Clinical Meetings.

Variant hemoglobin phenotypes, including sickle cell trait and hemoglobin C trait, may be associated with resistance to treatment with erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) among African Americans with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), according to research reported at the National Kidney Foundation's 2010 Spring Clinical Meetings.

Hemodialysis (HD) patients hospitalized for infections receive significantly higher amounts of replacement IV iron therapy and cumulative iron dose, according to findings presented here at the National Kidney Foundation 2010 Spring Clinical Meetings.