Anemia response to Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol-Epoetin Beta (Mircera) versus Epoetin Alfa (Eprex) in patients with chronic Kidney disease on Hemodialysis

Abstract

Objective: Anemia, a common complication of chronic kidney disease, usually develops because of erythropoietin defi ciency. Maintaining target hemoglobin (Hb) with minimal variability is a challenge in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of this study is to compare the long-and short-acting erythropoietin erythropoietin stimulating agents such as Mircera and Eprex in achieving these targets. Methods: One hundred (100) patients on regular hemodialysis were complaining of anemia duo to chronic renal failure. The mean age of those patients was 45.66 (17-70 years), divided into two groups: GroupA patients (n=50) that received methoxy polyethyleneglycol-epoetin beta (Mircera) once monthly, and group B (n=50) that received epoetin alfa (Eprex) 3 times per weeks for 6 months, with dose adjustment for individual haemoglobin target (11-12.5g/dl); maximum decrease from baseline 1g/dl. Results: The response rate in the evaluation period was higher in patients treated with methoxypolyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (Mircera) than with epoetin (Eprex) alfa: 36 of 50 (72%) mean Hb concentration (10.51g/dl) versus 29 of 50 (58%) mean Hb concentration (9.81), with statistically signifi cant p-value <0.0001. Conclusions: Treatment with (Mircera) administered intravenously once monthly was superior to treatment with (Eprex) administered subcutaneously three times weekly for maintaining haemoglobin concentrations in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis.