Comparative effectiveness of erythropoietin alpha and beta in hemodialysis patients: a single-center prospective observational study

ABSTRACT

Background and objectives

Anemia is a prevalent complication endured by patients with chronic renal disease. Renal anemia also leads to the development of cardio-vascular complications. Epoetin alpha and beta are recombinant human erythropoietin prioritized for managing anemia in hemodialysis patients. The current study aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of both erythropoietin alpha and erythropoietin beta in treating renal anemia.

Materials and methods

This prospective observational study was conducted in a Renal Dialysis Centre at a tertiary care Hospital of Karachi, Pakistan for a period of 3 months. The two erythropoietin products used were human recombinant erythropoietin alpha (Tropin®) and erythropoietin beta (Recormon®). Both groups were age-matched, BMI, eGFR, gender, and comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension were indifferent. The comparative analysis was performed after the completion of 3 months.

Results

A total of 94 participants were included in the analysis, 54 in group A and 40 in group B. Mean albumin, urea, creatinine, ferritin, iron, and transferrin saturation at inclusion were statistically insignificant, TIBC was higher in group A (p = 0.005) and CRP levels were slightly higher in group B (p = 0.050). There was significant improvement in Hb level (p = 0.025), PCV (p = 0.001), and RBC count (p = 0.007) in group B. While in group A, there was significantly increased MCV (p = 0.005) and MCHC (p = 0.002). In intention to treat analysis, 22.2% of subjects in group A and 40.0% in group B reached desired Hb levels of ≥11 g/l after 3 months.

Conclusion

In our assessment of hemodialysis patients, erythropoietin beta was found more effective than erythropoietin alpha.

KEYWORDS:

• CKD
• ESRD
• anemia
• erythropoietin
• hemoglobin
• dialysis

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangement etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

Data availability

Data can be made available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.

Ethical statement

Ethical considerations were fulfilled before the commencement of the study.

Additional information

Funding

No funding required in the study. The work was not supported by any sponsors.