Journal article

A randomised single-blind study to improve health-related quality of life by treating anaemia of chronic kidney disease with Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa) in older people: STIMULATE

SD Roger, SV Jassal, MC Woodward, S Soroka, LP McMahon

International Urology and Nephrology | SPRINGER | Published : 2014

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases with age, and the risk of significant anaemia increases as renal function declines. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of darbepoetin alfa administration on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) through treatment for anaemia in older patients with CKD. Methods: In this multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, older patients (aged ≥70 years) with CKD (Stages 3-5, predialysis) and haemoglobin (Hb) < 11.0 g/dL were randomised to darbepoetin alfa (n = 28) or placebo (n = 23). HRQOL was measured using a number of instruments including Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therap..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

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Funding Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the participating dialysis centres and investigators for contributions to the study and data collection-Drs Stephen Chow, Serge Cournoyer, Robert Fassett, Margaret Fraenkel, Marc Ghannoum, Helen Healy, Ashley Irish, Garth Mortis, Danny Sapir and Andrew Steele. This study was funded and sponsored by Amgen Australia Pty Ltd and Amgen Canada Inc. Data analysis was performed by Dave Carter, Nicola Hogan and Julie-Ann Quayle. Editorial assistance was provided by Yoonah Choi of Evidencia Medical Communications Pty Ltd, contracted by Amgen Australia Pty Ltd.