Iron deficiency anemia and iron losses after renal transplantation - Sijie Zheng, Daniel W. Coyne, Heidi Joist, Rebecca Schuessler, Ambyr Godboldo-Brooks, Patrick Ercole, Daniel C. Brennan

Link to abstract.  Transplant International - 22:4:434-440 - April 2009  
Based on baseline hemoglobin (Hgb) of 11.8 g/dl, we estimated that an additional 330 mg of iron was needed to normalize hemoglobin to 13 g/dl, and 605 mg to increase hemoglobin to 14 g/dl. Blood and iron losses over the first 12 weeks post-transplant are substantial and may warrant early administration of intravenous iron.

Target for Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetic Patients on Hemodialysis: Effects of Anemia and Erythropoietin Injection on Hemoglobin A1c - Takashi Uzu, Tsuguru Hatta, Naoko Deji, Tamani Izumiya, Hisami Ueda, Itsuko Miyazawa, Masami Kanasaki, Keiji Isshiki, Toshiji Nishio, Tetsuro Arimura

Link to abstract.  Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis - 13:2:89-94 - February 2009  
In HD patients, accurate glycemic control may be estimated as: HbA1c × 1.14 if Ht ≥ 30%; HbA1c × 1.19 if Ht < 30% and treated with low dosages of EPO; and HbA1c × 1.38 if Ht < 30% and treated with high dosages of EPO.

Iron status and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with haemodialysis versus patients with ischaemic heart disease - YI-CHANG CHENG, WEI-WEN KUO, CHIEH-HSI WU, WEN-TONG SHU, CHIA-HUA KUO, JIN-MING HWANG, HSI-HSIEN HSU, LI-MING CHEN, CHIH-YANG HUANG, SHIN-DA LEE

Link to full text article.  Nephrology - 14:1:65-69 - February 2009  
Imbalanced iron status in patients on HD coexisted with abnormal lipid profiles, increased anaerobic activity and higher inflammatory status, which suggests that imbalanced iron status in HD patients may play a deleterious role in cardiovascular pathophysiology. Altered GH–IGF axis found in HD patients was more obvious than in IHD patients. This may imply that the GH–IGF axis system is modulated or adapted by HD.

Anemia in chronic kidney disease: status of new therapies - Fishbane, Steven

Link to abstract.  Current Opinion in Nephrology & Hypertension - 18:2:112-115 - March 2009  
A more cautious era of anemia therapy in chronic kidney disease has emerged. As the mechanisms of safety problems are being worked out, new ESA and iron drugs continue to be developed in an attempt to improve treatment options.

Erythropoietin Therapy, Hemoglobin Targets, and Quality of Life in Healthy Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Trial - Robert N. Foley, Bryan M. Curtis, and Patrick S. Parfrey

Link to abstract.  Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology - 4:4:726-733 - April 2009  
In relatively healthy hemodialysis patients, normal hemoglobin targets may have beneficial effects on fatigue. Improvement in multiple domains of quality of life is associated with higher body mass index and lower erythropoietin requirements.

SUBCUTANEOUS ADMINISTRATION OF DARBEPOETIN ALFA EFFECTIVELY MAINTAINS HEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATIONS AT EXTENDED DOSE INTERVALS IN PERITONEAL DIALYSIS PATIENTS - Yu-Wei Fang and Chung-Hsin Chang

Link to abstract.  Peritoneal Dialysis International - 29:2:199-203 - March/April 2009  
Using lower dosage and frequency, darbepoetin alfa effectively maintains hemoglobin levels in peritoneal dialysis patients previously maintained on erythropoietin beta. Similar effects on hemoglobin can be maintained with even lower levels of ferritin during darbepoetin alfa use. These results show that darbepoetin alfa is safe, effective, and convenient in treating renal anemia in peritoneal dialysis patients.