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BACKGROUND: Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and adjuvant intravenous iron have been the primary treatment for anemia in chronic kidney disease. Recent clinical and policy-related events have challenged this traditional paradigm, particularly in regard to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Less is known about the impact of these events on intravenous iron use.

METHODS: United States Renal Data System data (2002-2008) on Medicare hemodialysis patients were examined. For each patient, monthly intravenous iron dose, erythropoiesis-stimulating agent dose, and hemoglobin values were determined. Data were summarized by calendar quarter and plotted for the entire sample and by demographic, clinical, and facility-level subgroups. Marginal means for these variables also were computed to account for changes in patient characteristics over time.

RESULTS: Quarterly iron use increased from 64% in 2002 to 76% in 2008. Mean quarterly iron dose increased from 500 mg in 2002 to 650 mg in 2008. Mean monthly erythropoiesis-stimulating agent dose (per quarter) increased from 2002 to 2006 and then declined. Mean hemoglobin values followed a pattern similar to erythropoiesis-stimulating agent dose. The same patterns in iron, erythropoiesis-stimulating agent dose, and hemoglobin were generally observed across demographic, clinical, facility, and geographic subgroups, with some important differences between subgroups, specifically race and dialysis vintage.

CONCLUSIONS: Anemia management patterns have changed markedly between 2002 and 2008, with a steady increase in intravenous iron use even after declines in erythropoiesis-stimulating agent dose and hemoglobin. The clinical impacts of these changes need further evaluation.