Anemia management in patients on peritoneal dialysis: efficacy and safety of epoetin delta

In a one-year, multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled trial, epoetin delta was given subcutaneously, 1-3-times weekly to peritoneal dialysis patients who had previously received an epoetin. Dose was adjusted to maintain hemoglobin at 10.0-12.0 g/dL. The primary endpoint was mean hemoglobin over weeks 12-24. Safety was assessed. Mean+/-SD baseline hemoglobin was 11.2+/-0.9 g/dL. Hemoglobin over weeks 12-24 was 11.6+/-1.1 g/dL. Adverse events were those expected in this patient population. No life-threatening adverse events occurred. Subcutaneous epoetin delta was effective and well tolerated for the treatment of anemia in peritoneal dialysis patients.