Effects of darbepoetin-alpha on quality of life and emotional stress in anemic patients with chronic heart failure.

ObjectiveAnemia is a frequent comorbidity in chronic heart failure (CHF) adversely affecting patients’ prognosis. Erythropoietin seems to improve exercise capacity in CHF patients. This study investigates the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin analog darbepoetin-α on quality of life and emotional stress, evaluated by relevant questionnaires in patients with CHF and anemia.MethodsForty-one CHF patients [New York Heart Association class: II-III; left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) ≤40%; hemoglobin < 12.5 g/dl; serum creatinine < 2.5 mg/dl] were randomized (1:1) to receive either 3-month darbepoietin-α at 1.5 μg/Kg every 20 days plus iron orally (n = 21) or placebo plus iron orally (n = 20). Echocardiographic LVEF, questionnaires addressing quality of life (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire, functional and overall, Duke's Activity Status Index) and emotional stress [Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS), Beck Depression Inventory], as well as plasma b-type natriuretic peptide and 6...