Efficacy of roxadustat in treatment of peritoneal dialysis patients with renal anaemia

BACKGROUND: There are no studies on the use of roxadustat in patients on regular peritoneal dialysis in China. AIM: To observe the efficacy and safety of roxadustat in treating renal anaemia in peritoneal dialysis patients. METHODS: Patients with renal anaemia who were regularly followed at the Peritoneal Dialysis Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from November 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 were selected. A before-and-after self-control design was performed to retrospectively analyse the treatment effects on anaemia in patients treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) and roxadustat. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients with renal anaemia on long-term peritoneal dialysis treated with roxadustat were included. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels were maintained or increased in all patients (100%), and no patients had a decrease in Hb compared with the previous phase. Patients had a mean Hb of 86.2 ± 14.8 g/L with Hb compliance (Hb ≥ 110 g/L) of 16.1% during the EPO phase and a mean Hb of 112.4 ± 18.5 g/L with Hb compliance of 67.7% during the roxadustat phase. No major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in any patient. CONCLUSION: The application of roxadustat in peritoneal dialysis patients with renal anaemia can effectively improve the Hb compliance rate.