Objective  To observe the efficacy and safety of roxadustat in treatment of refractory renal anemia in patients with maintenance hemodialysis.

  Methods  Sixty-five renal anemia patients with unsatisfactory results of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) combined with iron who undergoing maintenance hemodialysis were selected as research objects. They were randomly divided into experimental group (n=33) and control group (n=32). The experimental group was treated with oral roxadustat capsule, while the control group was treated with rhEPO, and the two groups were treated with oral iron for 6 weeks. Anemia indexeshematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb) and iron metabolism indexestransferrin (TRF), transferrin saturation (TSAT), total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and adverse events in the two groups were recorded.

  Results  After 6 weeks of treatment, the levels of Hb, Hct, TIBC and TRF in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), and there was no statistical significance in the level of TSAT between the experimental group and the control group (P>0.05). The incidence of adverse events in experimental group was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  The efficacy of roxadustat capsule in treatment of refractory renal anemia in patients with maintenance hemodialysis is better than rhEPO, and it has fewer adverse reactions. It is convenient for oral administration, and a safe and effective therapy.