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ESA responsiveness and outcomes in patients on hemodialysis

Whether erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) administered in high doses could be harmful is a subject of intense interest. A recent trial has studied the relationship between hemoglobin level, ESA dose and outcomes in Japanese patients on hemodialysis. Here, we review the findings and the possible impact on clinical anemia treatment.

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Figure 1: Association between 12 categories of ESA responsiveness and mortality for all-cause and cardiovascular disease in Fukuma et al.'s study.

References

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Correspondence to Steven Fishbane.

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S. Fishbane declares associations with the following companies: Affymax (consultant), Akebia (consultant), Bayer (consultant), Rockwell (consultant). A. Hazzan declares no competing interests.

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Fishbane, S., Hazzan, A. ESA responsiveness and outcomes in patients on hemodialysis. Nat Rev Nephrol 8, 6–8 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneph.2011.169

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