Background: Both early correction of anemia and preserving residual renal function (RRF) are reported to improve patient survival. The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of Roxadustat for treatment of renal anemia in patients new to peritoneal dialysis (PD) and to assess its impact on RRF.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 60 initial peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with renal anemia. Twenty-eight cases were treated with Roxadustat (Roxadustat group) and 32 with recombinant human erythropoietin (control group). Clinical characteristics, hemoglobin (Hb), C-reactive protein, blood lipids, iron metabolism, dialysis adequacy and RRF of the two groups were evaluated and adverse events were recorded. All patients were followed up for at least 40 weeks.
Results: After 40 weeks of treatment, mean Hb levels were significantly higher from baseline values in both groups, the mean Hb change in Roxadustat group was higher than control group (3.46 ± 1.59 g/dL vs. 2.28 ± 2.27 g/dL, p < 0.05). At 40 weeks, 92.9% patients met the target level of Hb in Roxadustat group and 84.4% in control group. Total iron binding was higher and ferritin was lower in Roxadustat group from baseline values and Roxadustat-induced Hb increases were independent of baseline C-reactive protein levels and history of rhuEPO administration. RRF decreased over time in both groups, the mean RRF change was lower in Roxadustat group than control group (1.15 ± 1.66 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 2.31 ± 1.46 mL/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.01). Compared with control group, patients in Roxadustat group had higher levels of total iron binding, 24 h urine volume, total weekly Ccr, and lower systolic pressure, ferritin, C-reactive protein, total cholesterol, LDL. No serious adverse reactions occurred in either group.
Conclusion: In patients new to PD, Roxadustat effectively and safely improved renal anemia and delay the decline of RRF.
Keywords: Roxadustat; peritoneal dialysis; renal anemia; residual renal function.