Objective To compare the clinical effects of roxadustat and recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in treatment of maintenance hemodialysis patients with renal anemia.

Methods From January 2021 to December 2023, 100 patients with renal anemia undergoing maintenance hemodialysis admitted to Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University were selected as study subjects. Based on different treatment approaches, they were divided into control group (n=50) and observation group (n=50). Both groups received iron supplementation therapy, with the control group using recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) and the observation group using roxadustat. Anemia indicators, iron metabolism indicators, and the incidence of adverse reactions were observed and compared between the two groups.

Results Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the indicators between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the indicators of both groups improved compared to before treatment, and the indicators of the observation group were superior to those of the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 2.00%, which was lower than 16.00% in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Compared with rHuEPO, roxadustat can significantly improve anemia and iron metabolism, with high safety and application value.