Risk Factors for Thromboembolic Events in Patients With Dialysis-Dependent CKD: Pooled Analysis of Four Global Roxadustat Phase 3 Trials.

INTRODUCTION: Risk factors for thromboembolic events in patients with dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD) receiving roxadustat are unknown. Iron deficiency has been reported as a risk factor for thrombosis in the general population. METHODS: Thromboembolic events with onset before and after week 12 in patients receiving roxadustat were evaluated in this pooled analysis of four global phase 3 trials, PYRENEES, SIERRAS, HIMALAYAS, and ROCKIES. Baseline risk factors for thromboembolic events were investigated by Cox regression analyses. Nested case-control analyses with matched pairs of case-control data explored the relationship between thromboembolic events and last known laboratory parameters before event onset. RESULTS: Of 2354 patients, 1026 thromboembolic events were observed in 568 patients. Baseline risk factors found included hemodialysis (vs peritoneal dialysis), advanced age (≥ 65 years), Black race, high high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and history of thromboembolism, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. Univariate case-control analyses revealed that high hemoglobin rate of rise (≥ 0.5 g/dL/week; odds ratio [OR] 2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98-4.46) showed a trend towards increased risk of thromboembolic events before week 12, and high rate of hemoglobin decline was associated with events after week 12 (< - 0.5 g/dL/week; OR 3.73; 95% CI 1.68-8.27) as compared to stable hemoglobin levels (≥ - 0.1 to < 0.1 g/dL/week). Multivariate case-control analyses showed that low last known hemoglobin level (< 10 g/dL: adjusted OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.04-3.50; vs ≥ 12 g/dL) and low last known transferrin saturation (TSAT < 10%: adjusted OR 3.78; 95% CI 1.71-8.39; vs ≥ 30%) before event onset were associated with events after week 12. In patients with last known TSAT < 30%, higher roxadustat dose was associated with thromboembolic events; however, no association was observed in those with TSAT ≥ 30%. CONCLUSIONS: Among various risk factors for thromboembolic events, it is reasonable to avoid a rapid increase and decline in hemoglobin levels as well as ensure TSAT ≥ 30%, rather than increasing the roxadustat dose. Graphical Abstract available for this article. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02278341, NCT02273726, NCT02052310, NCT02174731.

Roxadustat is an oral treatment for patients with anemia, or low hemoglobin levels, due to chronic kidney disease. Thromboembolic events are caused by a blood clot blocking blood vessels, and they have occurred in clinical trials of roxadustat. This analysis evaluated risk factors for thromboembolic events in patients receiving roxadustat to treat anemia of chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis. Two different statistical approaches were used to investigate risk factors for thromboembolic events that occurred before and after 12 weeks of roxadustat treatment. We found that rapid improvement of anemia after starting roxadustat treatment may be associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events occurring in the first 12 weeks of treatment. In contrast, severe anemia or worsening of anemia was associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events after week 12. Low iron levels in the blood or greater decline of available iron in the blood from baseline were also detected as risk factors for the events after week 12, suggesting that iron supplementation is important in patients who are iron-deficient. Moreover, thromboembolic events were also associated with older age (≥ 65 years), Black race, high levels of inflammation, and having had a previous thromboembolic event or having a history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Some risk factors, such as iron status and hemoglobin levels, can be changed after beginning roxadustat treatment and should be monitored and modified, as needed.

Preferences for Anaemia Treatment Attributes among Patients with Non-Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Information about patient preferences for the treatment of anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is scarce. Hence, our aim was to examine how patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD valued attributes of alternative hypothetical anaemia treatments. METHODS: A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted in adult patients who reported a clinical diagnosis of CKD-related anaemia. Treatment attributes included mode and frequency of administration, need for iron supplementation, risk of gastrointestinal side effects, risk of major cardiovascular events and impact on energy levels (as defined by the vitality section of the SF-6D health index). Logit models were used to analyse patients' preferences. RESULTS: The DCE was completed by 200 patients in four countries. Patients preferred an oral mode of administration. Patients were willing to tolerate a 5.1% (95% CI 2.0-8.3%) increase in the risk of a major cardiovascular event and an 11.7% (95% CI 5.0-18.5%) increase in the risk of gastrointestinal side effects to switch from an at-home subcutaneous injection administered once every 2 weeks to an at-home oral pill administered three times a week. Patients were willing to tolerate a 20.3% (95% CI 15.0-25.6%) increase in the risk of gastrointestinal side effects and an 8.9% (95% CI 6.1-11.7%) increase in the risk of a major cardiovascular event to transition from 'Sometimes having a lot of energy' to 'Always having a lot of energy'. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD-related anaemia demonstrated clear treatment preferences and were willing to accept increased gastrointestinal or cardiovascular risks in exchange for more energy or an oral treatment.

Initiation and gradual intensification of premixed insulin lispro therapy versus Basal {+/-} mealtime insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes eating light breakfasts.

OBJECTIVE: We compared two strategies initiating and intensifying insulin treatment and tested for noninferiority of premixed insulin to basal ± mealtime insulin analog in patients eating light breakfasts. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This randomized, open-label, 48-week study compared two algorithms. Up to three injections of insulin lispro mix 25 and/or insulin lispro mix 50 (premix; premixed insulin lispro) or basal insulin glargine plus up to three injections of insulin lispro (basal+; glargine + insulin lispro) were used in type 2 diabetic patients uncontrolled with oral antihyperglycemic medication and consuming <15% daily calories at breakfast. The hypothesis was to test noninferiority of premix to basal+ for glycemic control measured by HbA1c after 48 weeks, assessed using ANCOVA with a 0.4% margin. RESULTS: Patients (n = 344; 176 [51%] females; mean [SD] age 54.3 [8.8] years; BMI 29.4 [4.6] kg/m(2); baseline HbA1c 9.02 [0.97]%) were randomized to premix (n = 171) or basal+ (n = 173). In the per-protocol analysis (n = 230), least squares means (95% CI) end point HbA1c were 7.40% (7.15-7.65) and 7.55% (7.27-7.82) in respective arms. Between-treatment difference was -0.14% (-0.42 to 0.13), with noninferiority met. Significantly more patients in premix achieved HbA1c targets of <7.0% compared with basal+ (48.2 vs. 36.2%; P = 0.024). Self-monitored blood glucose profiles, body weight changes, total insulin doses, and overall hypoglycemia (65 vs. 60%) were similar in premix and basal+ (P = 0.494), except nocturnal episodes (34.3 vs. 23.7%; P = 0.018) were more common in premix. CONCLUSIONS: Both intensive insulin strategies improved glycemic control; however, final HbA1c levels were seen above those achieved in previous treat-to-target trials, likely due to the inadequate insulin titrations and probably due to the complexity of tested insulin regimens. A higher percentage of patients achieved target HbA1c <7% with multiple premixed insulins, but this treatment resulted in more nocturnal hypoglycemia than a basal-bolus regimen.