Long-term changes in anemia-related parameters among Japanese dialyzed patients assessed by newly developed web-based...

Anemia treatment is crucial in the management of dialyzed patients. Although Hb and serum ferritin levels are commonly used as indicators for treatment, these values change over time due to changes in policy, drugs for treating anemia, and target levels suggested by clinical guidelines. To clarify long-term changes in anemia-related parameters in Japan, we extracted annual patient data from a newly developed web-based system by the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy, the Web-based Analysis of Dialysis Data Archives system. Hb levels gradually increased from 2008 to 2019. Serum ferritin levels and transferrin saturation tended to increase between 2012 and 2019. Although these changes were found in all dialyzed patients, these were more pronounced in patients on peritoneal dialysis. We believe that our results can contribute to a better understanding of the results of clinical studies assessing the effects of treatment for anemia on clinical outcomes among dialyzed patients.