Efficacy of Roxadustat in Anemia with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Abstract

Introduction: Anemia is one of the complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and its incidence gradually increases as the disease progresses. A major cause of such anemia is the severe erythropoietin deficiency in CKD. Therefore, improvement in red blood cell production is a choice of treatment. Erythropoiesis- stimulating agents (ESAs) have been used for the therapy of anemia induced in CKD. Roxadustat is a novel drug for improving such anemia. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of roxadustat and ESAs in patients with CKD.

Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of CKD patients with anemia who regularly use roxadustat and ESAs in the Nephrology Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University School of Medicine was carried out. Baseline clinical data and clinical indicators during the medication period were collected and analyzed in both groups.

Results: In this retrospective study, we found that roxadustat was effective in improving anemia. The anemia rate, Hb<11g/dL, before treatment in patients with CKD was 94.55%. The standard rate of patients with CKD anemia was 25.45% after one month of treatment, 54.54% after three months of treatment, and 65.45% after six months of treatment. In the clinical observations of the medication, roxadustat did not differ from ESAs in the treatment of anemia in CKD. However, roxadustat did not improve micro-inflammatory status or increase serum potassium.

Conclusion: Roxadustat did not differ from ESAs in the treatment of anemia in CKD patients. However, it has the potential to lower blood lipids and improve iron deficiency.

Clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR2300071087.