Table 2.
Dialysis-Related Outcomes, Treatment Characteristics, and ESA Hyporesponsiveness–Related Laboratory Values
| Hyporesponders (N = 43,316) | Normoresponders (N = 67,403) | |
|---|---|---|
| Outcomes | ||
| Died during study period | 10,944 (25.3) | 15,224 (22.6) |
| Time to death, mo | 5.4 ± 3.3 | 4.5 ± 3.2 |
| Treatment characteristics | ||
| Dialysis modality | ||
| Hemodialysis | 41,959 (96.9) | 65,434 (97.1) |
| Peritoneal dialysis | 1,341 (3.1) | 1,946 (2.9) |
| Time on dialysis at index date, y | 5.7 ± 5.1 | 4.9 ± 4.5 |
| Monthly epoetin alfa,a units | 94,831 ± 36,753 | 24,331 ± 17,364 |
| IV iron use 2 mo before index date | 32,451 (74.9) | 48,547 (72.0) |
| Blood transfusions during baseline period | 8,847 (20.4) | 4,281 (6.4) |
| Laboratory values | ||
| Hemoglobin, g/L | 10.4 [7.7-11.1] | 10.8 [10.3-11.3] |
| ERI, epoetin U/kg/wk/Hb [g/L] | 2.9 ± 1.2 | 0.6 ± 0.4 |
| Ferritin, ng/mL | 889 ± 518 | 897 ± 439 |
| TSAT, % | 27.7 ± 13.2 | 32.9 ± 14.0 |
| TSAT < 20% | 11,386 (26.5) | 7,273 (10.9) |
| Parathyroid hormone, pg/mL | 301.7 [178.1-511.6] | 279.3 [186.6-478.0] |
| Parathyroid hormone > 800 pg/mL | 2,354 (11.6) | 2,524 (8.9) |
Note: Data for categorical variables expressed as number (percent); data for continuous variables expressed as mean ± standard deviation or median [interquartile range].
Abbreviations:ERI, erythropoietin resistance index; ESA, erythropoiesis-stimulating agent; IV, intravenous; TSAT, transferrin saturation.
a
Average dose in the 2 months before the index date.