Comparative Analysis Of Erythropoietin Alfa And Darbepoetin Alfa On Hemoglobin Levels In Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: An Observational Study In Iraq

Objective: The study compared the effectiveness of Darbepoetin alfa and Epoetin alfa in managing anemia in chronic kidney disease patients in Iraq. Method: This was an observational study, conducted in Iraqi dialysis centers, ninety-three clinically stable adult patients on hemodialysis/peritoneal dialysis were enrolled in the study, with baseline hemoglobin levels below 10 g/dL Patients received either Darbepoetin (n=33) or Epoetin (n=60) free of cost, with monthly hemoglobin levels monitored over six months. Results: The study indicated that the Darbepoetin group achieved a statistically significant higher mean hemoglobin level (9.44 ± 0.99 g/dL) at six months compared to the Epoetin group (8.90 ± 1.05 g/dL). However, the median increase in hemoglobin levels from the baseline was not statistically significant amongst the two groups. A notable finding was that Darbepoetin's significant benefit was primarily observed in male patients, with no significant difference in females. Conclusion: This study provides unique real-world data from Iraq, offering insights into ESA effectiveness within a local context and highlighting the importance of considering patient characteristics, including gender, in anemia management strategies.