Comparative study of efficacy and safety of erythropoietin and darbepoetin for treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease patients: a comparative, observational and prospective study

Background: Anemia is a common prognosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is predominantly managed with erythropoietin and darbepoetin. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of erythropoietin injection versus darbepoetin for treating renal anemia amongst patient with CKD. Methods: Patients of either gender diagnosed with anemia due to CKD, irrespective of dialysis who had haemoglobin less than 12g/dl were included in the study. Comparison of efficacy and safety of erythropoietin and darbepoetin was done based on the laboratory values of hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBCs), haematocrit (PCV) and adverse events respectively. Results: A total of 108 patients met the inclusion criteria; 54 of them were treated with erythropoietin and 54 were treated with darbepoetin. The changes in Hb, RBCs and PCV in the group of patients who were on erythropoietin were 1.16, 0.49 and 3.76 respectively. Similarly, the changes in Hb, RBCs and PCV in the group of patients who were on Darbepoetin were 1.19, 0.42 and 3.52 respectively. The differences in the changes of Hb, RBCs and PCV in the both groups of patients were 0.04, 0.07 and 0.24 respectively. A total of 4 adverse events (HTN, vomiting, headache and joint pain) were reported by 24 (44.44%) patients of erythropoietin group and a total of 1 adverse event (HTN) was reported by 19 (35.19%) patients of darbepoetin group. Conclusion: Both erythropoietin and darbepoetin were found to be equally effective and safe for the treatment of anemia in CKD patients.