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Danilo Fliser,1 Maria Mata Lorenzo,2 Katherine Houghton,3 Claire Ainsworth,3 Martin Blogg,2 Elena González de Antona Sánchez,4 Jose Portoles5 1Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany; 2Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., Addlestone, UK; 3RTI Health Solutions, Manchester, UK; 4Astellas Pharma España S.A., Madrid, Spain; 5Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, SpainCorrespondence: Danilo Fliser, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany, Tel +49 – 6841 – 16 15040, Fax +49 – 6841 – 16 15454, Email danilo.fliser@uks.euBackground: Anemia is prevalent among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet current evidence indicates that treatment may not adhere to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines. We aimed to document the management of patients with non-dialysis-dependent (NDD)-CKD receiving erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) therapy in Europe.Methods: This retrospective, observational study extracted information from medical records in Germany, Spain, and the UK. Eligible patients were adults with NDD-CKD stages 3b– 5 who initiated ESA therapy for anemia between January and December 2015. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin (Hb) < 13.0 g/dL (males) or < 12.0 g/dL (females). Data regarding ESA treatment, treatment response, concomitant iron therapy and blood transfusions were extracted up to 24 months post-ESA initiation, and data on CKD progression until abstraction date.Results: Eight hundred and forty-eight medical records were abstracted. Approximately 40% received no iron therapy prior to ESA initiation. At ESA initiation, mean ± standard deviation Hb level was 9.8 ± 1.0 g/dL. Most patients received darbepoetin alfa, and switching between ESAs was rare (8.5% of patients). Concomitant intravenous and oral iron therapy was prescribed for 36% and 42% of patients, respectively, during initial ESA therapy. Mean Hb levels reached the target level (10– 12 g/dL) within 3– 6 months of ESA initiat