Abstract: Objective  To investigate the efficacy of darbepoetin alfa for the treatment of anemia and its effect on hemoglobin variation in hemodialysis patients.  Methods  A total of 38 stable hemodialysis patients treated in Hefei Jin'nan Kidney Disease Specialized Hospital from August 2022 to September 2023 were selected and randomly divided into two groups, observation group (n=19; 2 dropped out) received darbepoetin alfa treatment, and control group (n=19) received conventional short-acting erythropoiesis stimulating agent treatment. The study consisted of a correction phase and a maintenance phase, with assays of hemoglobin and biochemical indicators monthly, and iron metabolism indicators at 0 and 5th months. Independent samples t-test was used to compare hemoglobin levels before and after treatment between the two groups. Paired t-test was used for before-after self-control comparisons in each group. Repeated measures analysis was performed to examine the trend of hemoglobin change in both groups over time. Chi-square test was used for adverse event analysis.  Results  There was no significant difference in pretreatment hemoglobin level between the two groups (t=0.174, P=0.863). Post-treatment hemoglobin level also had no significant difference (t=0.809, P=0.425). No significant differences in adverse events (heart failure events, P=1.000; fistula occlusion,          P=1.000) were found between the two groups. During the correction phase, the observation group showed a more pronounced and stable hemoglobin increase (F=3.624, P=0.034).  Conclusion  Darbepoetin alfa has the safety and efficacy comparable to those of short-acting erythropoiesis stimulating agents, and can maintain hemoglobin at a stable increase level with less variability.

Key words: Darbepoetin alfa, Anemia, Hemoglobin, Erythropoiesis stimulating agent