Effect of protoconized therapy for renal anemia on adverse events of patients with maintenance hemodialysis.

PURPOSE: We evaluate the effect of the protoconized anemia therapy on adverse events using the Hb and ferritin levels of individual patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). METHODS: Design: A randomized, parallel group, multi-center study. PATIENTS: Two hundred sixty-six MHD patients. Intervention group: The doses of erythropoietin, iron, and vitamin C were adjusted every month based on the ferritin and hemoglobin (Hb) levels according to the protocol. Non-intervention group: The attending physician determined the doses of erythropoietin and iron. RESULTS: The maintenance rate of target Hb and ferritin levels were significantly higher in the Intervention group than in the Non-intervention group. The frequency of hospitalization was significantly lower for patients with a higher maintenance rate of target Hb levels than for those with a lower maintenance rate. CONCLUSIONS: Using an anemia treatment protocol according to the individual Hb and ferritin levels of hemodialysis patients might stabilize the Hb and ferritin levels, which in turn could contribute to the lower frequency of adverse events in MHD patients.