WASHINGTON—A number of influential renal organizations have banded together to create an anemia education resource that will be made available at no charge to kidney patients and their physicians.
The “Treating Anemia” education supplement was created to help patients work with their doctors to identify anemia’s symptoms, discuss the various treatment options available and monitor red blood cell counts together.
Topics included in the anemia management resource include the importance of treating anemia, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and other anemia treatments, questions for patients to ask and a table for patients to reference in tracking their anemia management with their doctor.
The anemia education resource was created by the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP), American Kidney Fund (AKF), Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC), National Kidney Foundation (NKF), Renal Physicians Association (RPA) and Renal Support Network (RSN).
The information will be distributed and made available online through AAKP, AKF, DPC, NKF, RPA and RSN.
Anemia is a condition characterized by a lack of healthy red blood cells. Since it can be caused by inadequate levels of the hormone erythropoietin (EPO), which is normally made by the kidneys, anemia is very commonly experienced by kidney patients. If left untreated, anemia can lead to loss of energy, headaches, trouble sleeping, dizziness, shortness of breath, lack of appetite and a rapid heart rate.
“Particularly when it comes to kidney disease and its related conditions, it is important for patients to have an open dialogue with their doctors regarding their care,” said Ed Jones, MD, president of RPA. “This new unified education resource will help empower patients to ask questions and discuss the concerns they may have with anemia and their treatment, thereby improving patients’ peace of mind and compliance with their prescribed treatments.”
