What is the standard treatment for anemia in ESRD?

The standard treatment for anemia in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA). Anemia in ESRD is typically caused by insufficient erythropoietin production due to damaged kidneys, leading to a reduced ability to produce red blood cells. ESAs, such as epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa, stimulate the bone marrow to increase red blood cell production, thereby addressing the underlying cause of anemia in these patients.

While iron supplements are important for those with iron deficiency, they do not directly stimulate red blood cell production. Vitamin B12 injections are used to treat pernicious anemia and deficiencies, which are less common in ESRD. Blood transfusions can be used in acute settings but are not a standard long-term strategy due to risks such as sensitization to antigens and iron overload. Therefore, the use of ESAs is the most effective and common treatment approach for managing anemia in patients with ESRD.