UK survey of patient and caregiver perspectives on the impact of chronic kidney disease-associated anaemia.

Objective: Chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated anaemia has substantial biopsychosocial impacts. This study explores the impact of CKD-associated anaemia and treatment preferences from the patient perspective.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Anonymised online survey implemented by Ipsos UK on behalf of the National Kidney Federation and GSK from October 2022 to January 2023.

Participants: Data were collected from UK adults living with CKD (self-reported).

Primary And Secondary Outcome Measures: Outcome measures were exploratory and not predefined. The cross-sectional survey was designed to explore the biopsychosocial impact of living with anaemia on individuals with CKD; their unmet needs; the treatment strategies typically implemented and the associated barriers/facilitators to adherence; the healthcare professional-patient relationship with regard to anaemia diagnosis and management.

Results: Of 101 participants, 90 (89%) were patients with CKD and 11 (11%) were informal carers. 96 (95%) participants reported symptom(s) relevant to their experience of CKD. 88 (87%) participants reported symptom(s) associated with anaemia and 61 (64%) expressed an impact on daily life including 18 (19%) unable to perform daily activities, 13 (14%) unable to go to work and 9 (9%) reporting poor social life/interactions. 85 (84%) participants reported they have received treatment for anaemia: intravenous iron (n=55, 54%), iron tablets (n=29, 29%), erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) via an autoinjector (n=28, 28%), ESA injections via a syringe (n=24, 24%), ESA injections via a dialysis machine (n=17, 17%), folic acid (n=22, 22%) and blood transfusion (n=17, 17%). Six of seven (86%) participants who received their ESA from a healthcare professional at home preferred injections whereas 13/27 (48%) participants who injected themselves at home preferred oral tablets.

Conclusions: There is not a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to the management of CKD-associated anaemia. A personalised approach incorporating the treatment preferences of the individual should be explored when discussing treatment options.