Nephrology

Can We Improve Anemia Outcomes
in Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease?

This CME activity has reached its termination date and no longer offers continuing education credit. Please note that expired CME activities may not contain the most up-to-date information available.

Case 1 of 3: Hyporesponsive Anemia in the Incident Dialysis Patient

Dear Colleague,

The primary cause of anemia in patients with hemodialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (HD-CKD) is impaired production of endogenous erythropoietin by the kidneys. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), first introduced in 1989, represent an opportunity to correct anemia in HD-CKD. In the vast majority of HD-CKD patients, ESA use increases hemoglobin to target levels, affording significant quality of life benefits. However, not all patients respond readily to ESA therapy.

The current case presentation relates a story of ESA resistance, or hyporesponsiveness, in the incident dialysis patient. The incident hyporesponsive patient demands special attention in order to optimize ESA use, select and adjust iron therapy, and achieve a target hemoglobin. Though hyporesponsive patients are not uncommon, the good news is that attentive management is safe and almost uniformly effective.

We are pleased to offer you "Hyporesponsive Anemia in the Incident Dialysis Patient," the first in the three-part series titled Can We Improve Anemia Outcomes in Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease? A Case-Based Series. The three case-based newsletters and audio CDs, prepared by a distinguished faculty, are designed to update you on state-of-the-science anemia management strategies in a variety of clinical settings.

We hope you find this series helpful and informative, and that the discussions will assist you in incorporating this information into your clinical practice.

Sincerely,

CO-CHAIRs
Jeffrey S. Berns, MD Associate Professor Renal, Electrolyte, and Hypertension Division University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Penn Presbyterian Medical Center Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
David B. Van Wyck, MD Professor of Medicine and Surgery Department of Medicine University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson, Arizona

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TARGET AUDIENCE

This activity is designed for nephrologists who treat patients with hemodialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (HD-CKD).

ACTIVITY GOAL

The goal of this activity is to provide clinicians with the latest scientific and clinical information on the management of anemia in patients with HD-CKD.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Integrate the benefits of anemia treatment in incident HD-CKD into monitoring and treatment strategies that improve clinical outcomes.
Formulate treatment strategies and goals to meet the needs of individual patients with HD-CKD.
Apply state-of-the-science anemia management strategies to HD-CKD patients with recurrent infection.

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CME INFORMATION

Statement of Accreditation

Projects In Knowledge is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation

Projects In Knowledge designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 Category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the activity.

This activity is planned and implemented as an independent CME activity in accordance with the ACCME Essential Areas and Policies.

Contract for Mutual Responsibility in CME/CE
Projects In Knowledge has developed the contract to demonstrate our commitment to providing the highest quality professional education to clinicians, and to help clinicians set educational goals to challenge and enhance their learning experience.
For more information on the contract, click here.

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DISCLOSURE INFORMATION

The Disclosure Policy of Projects In Knowledge requires that presenters comply with the Standards for Commercial Support. All faculty are required to disclose any personal interest or relationship they or their spouse/partner have with the supporters of this activity or any commercial interest that is discussed in their presentation. Any discussions of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices will also be disclosed in the course materials.

For complete prescribing information on the products discussed during this CME/CE activity, please see your current Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR).

Jeffrey S. Berns, MD, is a consultant for Amgen Inc and has received grant/research support from Advanced Magnetics, Inc, Amgen Inc, and Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.

David B. Van Wyck, MD, is a consultant for American Regent, Inc, Amgen Inc, DaVita Inc, and Gambro Healthcare; is on the speakers bureau of American Regent, Inc, and Amgen Inc; has served on the advisory board of Amgen Inc; and has received honoraria from American Regent, Inc, Amgen Inc, and Gambro Healthcare.

There will be no discussion of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices in this activity.

Peer Reviewer has disclosed no significant relationships.

Projects In Knowledge's staff members have no significant relationships to disclose.

Conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by the Executive Committee of Projects In Knowledge. All conflicts are resolved prior to the beginning of the activity by the Trust In Knowledge peer review process.

The opinions expressed in this activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect those of Projects In Knowledge.

This CME activity is provided by Projects In Knowledge solely as an educational service. Specific patient care decisions are the responsibility of the clinician caring for the patient.

This independent CME activity is supported by an educational grant from
Amgen Inc.

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1736.01