Evidence does not support using erythropoietin-stimulating agents to achieve higher haemoglobin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease and anaemia, a review concludes.

The analysis of 17 studies published in this week’s Annals of Internal Medicine found patients randomised to a higher haemoglobin target had no clinically or statistically significant improvement in any measure of health-related quality of life.

The authors say the optimal haemoglobin targets for treating anaemia with ESAs is an ongoing source of controversy.

While the findings support current guidelines for achieving lower haemoglobin targets in patients requiring treatment for anaemia, they do not support using ESAs to achieve individualised haemoglobin targets, they conclude.