Table 5.

Ordering of matching factors and definitions of sufficient similarity

Order	Factor	Definition of Sufficient Similaritya
1	Ageb	AD <9.9 years
2	Cumulative hospital daysc	(1) If DHHD patient did not have MPP, factor is not applicable
		(2) If DHHD patient had MPP and accumulated 0 days, AD=0 days
		(3) If DHHD patient had MPP and accumulated >0 days, AD ≤3 days
3	Cumulative EPO dosec	(1) If DHHD patient did not have MPP, factor is not applicable
		(2) If DHHD patient had MPP and accumulated 0 units, AD=0 units
		(3) If DHHD patient had MPP and accumulated >0 units, AD <104,400 units
4	Body mass indexb	AD <4.6 kg/m2
5	Transplant waitlist registrationb	Equality
6	Congestive heart failured	Equality
7	ESRD durationb	(1) If DHHD patient had ESRD duration <1 year, AD <0.2 years
		(2) If DHHD patient had ESRD duration ≥1 year, AD <4.3 years
8	Race	Equality
9	Cancerd	Equality
10	Primary ESRD cause	Equality
11	Cerebrovascular diseased	Equality
12	Peripheral vascular diseased	Equality
13	Other cardiovascular diseased	Equality
14	Diabetesd	Equality
15	Atherosclerotic heart diseased	Equality
16	Sex	Equality
17	Dual Medicare/Medicaid eligibilityb	Equality

AD, absolute difference; EPO, epoetin alfa; MPP, Medicare as primary payer.

^aSufficient similarity was defined by equality in categorical factors and differences no greater than one-third of a SD in continuous factors, with SDs estimated in DHHD patients.

^bOn index date.

^cDuring the 3 months preceding the index date.

^dDuring the 6 months preceding the index date or as indicated on the Medical Evidence Report.