Diagnosis & Disease Information

Monthly Hematide Dose Maintains Hb Levels

STOCKHOLM—Hematide doses administered every four weeks (Q4W) maintains long-term mean hemoglobin levels between 11 and 12 g/dL in CKD patients, and it is well tolerated, according to preliminary data from an ongoing phase II trial.

Low Vitamin D, Anemia Linked

GRAPEVINE, Tex.—Higher levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D) may lower the risk of anemia and elevated C-reactive protein levels may raise the risk, according to new study findings that may explain much of the high prevalence of anemia among individuals with kidney disease, researchers conclude.

Hospitalizations May Lower Hct

SAN FRANCISCO—Dialysis patients hospitalized for infection, GI bleeding, or a major surgical procedure may experience a significant decline in hematocrit (Hct) levels, researchers say. The decline increases with length of stay.

Novel IV Iron Drug Beats Oral Agent

SAN FRANCISCO—Ferumoxytol, a novel IV iron replacement drug, may be more effective than oral iron in hemodialysis patients receiving anemia treatment with an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA), according to study findings presented here at Renal Week 2007.

Nocturnal Dialysis Decreases EPO Use

ORLANDO—Patients receiving nocturnal hemodialysis may have lower erythropoietin (EPO) requirements than other dialysis patients, according to findings reported here at the 2008 Annual Dialysis Conference.

Novel Peptide-Based ESA Promising

BARCELONA—A novel peptide-based erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) called Hematide safely raises hemoglobin levels in anemic CKD patients and maintains stable hemoglobin levels in hemodialysis patients who switch to the drug from epoetin alfa, data suggest.

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