A Study on Efficacy of Erythropoietin Versus Erythropoietin with Desidustat in Treating Chronic Kidney Disease with Anemia

Anemia is a frequent complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined by hemoglobin levels below 13.1 g/dL in males and 12.0 g/dL in premenopausal females. It typically presents as a hypoproliferative, normochromic, normocytic anemia, significantly impacting the quality of life and increasing morbidity in CKD patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of erythropoietin alone versus a combination of erythropoietin and desidustat in managing anemia associated with CKD. A prospective comparative study was conducted at Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital, Hyderabad, following ethics committee approval and obtaining informed consent from all participants. A total of 70 CKD patients were included, with 56 patients (80%) receiving erythropoietin alone and 14 patients (20%) receiving a combination of erythropoietin with desidustat. Data were collected and analyzed using appropriate statistical tools.The results showed that erythropoietin therapy led to a significant mean increase in hemoglobin levels (71%), compared to a slight improvement (70%) in the combination group. Additionally, erythropoietin alone contributed to a notable reduction in serum creatinine levels, from a mean of 2.78 mg/dL to 1.07 mg/dL. However, a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was observed, dropping from a mean of 77 ml/min to 66 ml/min.This study suggests that erythropoietin is a safe and effective option for treating anemia in CKD patients, showing clear benefits in improving hemoglobin levels and reducing serum creatinine. The addition of desidustat provided minimal additional advantage, highlighting the need for further research into its role in combination therapy.