Anemia develops during the early stages of CKD and is common in patients with End Stage Renal Disease, ESRD. Anemia is an important cause of left ventricular hypertrophy and congestive heart failure. Early detection and treatment of anemia associated with CKD has proven to provide positive cognitive and physical effects.

1. FACTS - PROBLEMS - SOLUTION
Chronic KIdney Disease

2. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is when one suffers from
gradual and usually permanent loss of kidney function
over time. This happens gradually over time, usually
months to years.
CKD is divided into 5 stages of increasing severity. Stage
5 chronic kidney failure is also referred to as end-stage
renal disease, wherein there is total or near-total loss of
kidney function and patients need dialysis or
transplantation to stay alive. (http://www.aakp.org)
FACTS

3. CKD may be the result of physical injury or a disease that
damages the kidneys, such as diabetes or high blood
pressure. When the kidneys are damaged, they do not
remove wastes and extra water from the blood as well as
they should.
Anemia develops when the kidneys fail to produce enough
erythropoietin, EPO, the hormone that directs the bones to
make red blood cells. Anemia can cause heart problems.
The goal of treatment is to control symptoms, reduce
complications, and slow the progression of the disease.
FACTS

4. CKD patients become anaemic primarily due to impaired
absorption of iron, blood loss into the gastro-intestinal
tract, and inadequate production of erythropoietin from the
kidneys.
The management of patients not undergoing dialysis
involves stepwise treatment with oral iron, intravenous iron,
and erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESA’s).
Non-heme oral iron is of limited efficacy, poorly tolerated
and often results in poor compliance.
PROBLEMS

5. Intravenous iron is very effective but requires a hospital
clinic visit. Intravenous iron is not without its risks (it is
known to induce but is widely prescribed.
Erythropoiesis stimulating agents are very effective but
are a very expensive form of therapy. ESA therapy is not
an alternative to iron therapy but is complementary to it.
The use of (ESA’s) can cause progressive iron depletion.
Intravenous treatment is usually started only when oral
non-heme treatment fails due to side-effects.
PROBLEMS

6. Anemia develops during the early stages of CKD and is common in
patients with End Stage Renal Disease. Anemia is an important
cause of left ventricular hypertrophy and congestive heart failure.
Early detection and treatment of anemia associated with CKD has
proven to provide positive cognitive and physical effects.
Treatment options that increase iron storage and availability within
the body and production of erythropoietin can assist in anemic CKD
patients in achieving recommended levels of hemoglobin.
Acknowledgement of the potential side effects associated with the
medications selected to treat anemia can help in avoiding additional
injury to the patient and thus reduce healthcare expenditure.
REACTION

7. The absorption of heme iron is several times higher and
the side-effects rate significantly lower than for non-heme
oral iron.
Heme iron is absorbed through a separate pathway and
does not have to be discontinued when intravenous
treatment is started. This can allow for longer intervals
between resource-heavy, inconvenient and painful
injections. Oxidative stress is also avoided.
Heme iron does not need to be discontinued during
injection or EPO therapy like non-heme oral iron.
SOLUTION

8. The OptiFer® series of iron food supplements are
safe, efficient and very well
tolerated, which is crucial for therapy success.
They give an optimal dose and can be used over
longer periods with no change in efficacy or
tolerance.
OptiFer® products compete favorably
with the regular syntethic supplements.
SOLUTION

9. Swedish company FerroCare/MediTec has a
strong commitment to reach people
suffering from iron deficiency, but have
problems with existing supplements.

10. • OptiFer® tablets are based on natural bovine
heme iron and will safely and efficiently keep
iron counts at an optimal level
www.ferrocare.se www.hemeiron.com
www.ferrocare.se www.hemeiron.com