Evaluation of Erythropoietin Therapy in Patients With End-Stage Kidney Disease on Regular Hemodialysis: Hemoglobin Outcomes, and Metabolic Syndrome as a Risk Factor for Erythropoietin Resistance

Erythropoietin Resistant Anemia (EPO Resistant Anemia)

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome and erythropoietin resistance in patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD).

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common condition that has significant implications for patients' health and healthcare budgets. CKD is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality across the globe. The incidence and prevalence of CKD are rising steadily all over the world. Along with many adverse effects on different body organs, CKD and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are associated with body will beting and malnutrition. Patients with ESKD require maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) to sustain their life. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a relatively deficient erythropoietin (EPO) production, and this is the main cause of anemia in this group. In its severe form, anemia decreases quality of life and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality in dialysis patients, so the implementation of prevention and control measures is recommended \[4\]. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are generally used to control anemia and reduce the need for blood transfusions in patients with CKD. ESA resistance or hyporesponsiveness occurs when the patient does not reach the desired serum hemoglobin (Hb) concentration even with the use of ESA at doses higher than usual or when increasingly higher doses are necessary to maintain the recommended Hb concentration. The main causes of EPO resistance are iron deficiency, chronic inflammation, inadequate dialysis, hyperparathyroidism, hemolysis, vitamin B12, and folate deficiency. Observational studies have shown that nutritional status is associated with EPO resistance in HD patients, mainly because of malnutrition-inflammation status. While treating anemic patients with αEPO can increase hemoglobin levels to recommended values and decrease complications in hemodialysis patients, the treatment of anemia with an ESA can increase the risk of mortality; high dosages of the ESA and treatment resistance are the primary factors for this outcome. Thus, it is important to determine which factors limit the ability of αEPO to correct anemia in hemodialysis patients so that treatment can be optimized.

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