ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO944

High Hemoglobin Levels Maintain Graft Function in Japanese Kidney Transplant Recipients

Session Information

Category: Transplantation

  • 1702 Transplantation: Clinical and Translational

Author

  • Tsujita, Makoto, Nagoya Daini Red Cross Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
Background

Post transplant anemia is an important factor for graft survival in kidney
transplant recipients. But how we should manage hemoglobin (Hb) values for better graft
survival in Japanese recipients, remains unknown.

Methods

This was an open-label, randomized controlled trial to demonstrate high
Hb values on graft function. One hundred twenty six stable recipients were randomized into two
groups - Hb normal group (12.5-13.5 g/dL, n=65) and Hb subnormal group (10.5-11.5 g/dL,
n=61). Either Darbepoetin alfa or Epoetin beta were included in the study from January 2012 to
March 2014 at Nagoya Daini Red Cross Hospital and Masuko Memorial Hospital. Primary
endpoint was the difference between both groups rate of decline in kidney function.

Results

During the course of this study, 12 patients dropped out. At baseline, the mean age was
49.7 and 49.6 years old, eGFR was 35.4 and 35.9 ml/min/1.73m2, and Hb 11.3 and 11.2 g/dL in
Hb normal group (n=59) and subnormal groups (n=55), respectively. After 24 months(M), the mean
Hb was 12.6 and 11.2 g/dL(p<0.001), the eGFR was 34.8 and 32.7 ml/min/1.73m2 (p=0.27).
Figure1 showed a change of eGFR from baseline eGFR (ΔeGFR). From baseline to 24M, the eGFR decreased by a mean 0.1 and 3.7 ml/min/1.73m2(p=0.02).Patients who doubled their serum creatinine levels and reached end stage renal disease were not found. Also no cardiovascular event and acute rejection occurred in both groups.

Conclusion

This study shows that high Hb values might be more impactful on graft function in
Japanese kidney transplant recipients.