Population
People with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease who took part in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) identified by a systematic review (n= 5,621, 9 RCTs).
Intervention
Roxadustat at various doses (ROX, n= 3,175).
Comparison
Placebo or control treatment [Darbepoetin Alfa], (n= 2,446).
Outcome
When compared the control group, ROX increased Haemoglobin level significantly (standardised mean difference [SMD]: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.08, 2.22) and improved iron utilization parameters by decreasing ferritin (SMD: -0.32; 95% CI: -0.51, -0.14), transferrin saturation (SMD: -0.19; 95% CI: -0.32, -0.07), and hepcidin (SMD: -0.74; 95% CI: -1.09, -0.39) and increasing total iron binding capacity (SMD: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.76, 1.22) and transferrin (SMD: 1.20; 95% CI: 0.70, 1.71). As for safety, ROX was associated with higher serious adverse effects (RR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.13), deep venous thrombosis (RR: 3.80; 95% CI: 1.5, 9.64), and hypertension (RR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.65).