In China, Surveyed Nephrologists Report Significant Declines in the Use of ESAs in Stage 3, 4 and 5 Chronic Kidney Disease Non-Dialysis Patient Populations, Compared with 2011

BURLINGTON, Mass., July 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources Group finds that patient chart data submitted by surveyed nephrologists in China reveals that, consistent with 2011, the percentage of patients on erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) significantly increases as chronic kidney disease (CKD) worsens; however, for stage 3, stage 4 and stage 5 non-dialysis (ND), the percentage of patients on ESAs has declined significantly compared with 2011.    

Other key findings from the report entitled ChartTrends: Renal Anemia in CKD-ND (China) 2014: 

• ESA-treated patient demographics: Patients treated with ESAs tend to be in a later stage of CKD; tend to have more comorbidities and lower hemoglobin levels; are more likely to be on traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of renal anemia; are more likely to be on iron (IV or oral), phosphate binders, and active Vitamin D; and are of higher economic status compared with ESA non-treated patients. (The report also includes patient share data for Shenyang Sunshine Pharmaceutical's Yi Bi Ao, Kyowa Hakko Kirin's ESPO, Hua Bae Pharm's Ji Main Xin and other agents.)
• Over-reporting of IV iron use in Stage 3: While surveyed nephrologists' report that the percentage of CKD stage 4 patients on IV iron is consistent with chart audited data, respondents appear to overestimate the percentage of stage 3 patients who are treated with IV iron. (The report also includes further details on IV iron patient share, discontinuation rates, transferrin saturation and ferritin distributions at last measure and at IV iron initiation, IV iron administration location, dosing, switching and rationale for switching from oral to IV iron, among other topics.)
• Expected use of products in development: New to this study, nephrologists reviewed product profiles of three products in late-stage development for renal anemia. Then, nephrologists indicated whether a particular patient would or would not be eligible for treatment with these products and why or why not they would be eligible for treatment with these products. Among those that would be eligible, nephrologists were asked whether a patient's current ESA use would change. Products covered in the report include FibroGen's/AstraZeneca's/Astellas's roxadustat, Akebia's AKB-6548 and Keryx/Japan Tobacco's Zerenex/Riona. Not surprisingly, expected use increases with stage of the disease.

Comments from Decision Resources Group Director Rob Dubman:

• "It is not surprising that information from patient charts show declines in the use of ESAs because we have generally observed this trend in other markets around the globe as well."
• "Adding product profiles to this study created some interesting findings. For example, this physician exercise allows manufactures to see how expected use differs by lab values and/or other patient demographics."

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SOURCE Decision Resources Group