Tampa, Fla., August 1, 2007 – Today the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) re-released its 1997 National Kidney Foundation Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiatives (NKF-DOQI) patient survey results. In 1997, AAKP surveyed approximately 3,600 patients in an effort to provide patient opinions on the then introduced NKF-DOQI guidelines. The purpose of the survey was to understand the direct patient impact such recommendations as subcutaneous administration of Epogen, vascular access placement, administration of iron and increase in dialysis prescription had on patients’ willingness to participate in such procedures.

AAKP designed, pilot tested and fielded a self-administered mailed survey regarding issues raised by selected draft DOQI guidelines. Covance Health Economics and Outcomes Services, Inc. provided survey assistance and performed all data analysis. The survey was funded by an educational grant from Amgen.

In light of recent discussions on Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents, (ESAs), AAKP has re-released the survey executive summary that was originally published in aakpRENALIFE, Volume 13, Number 1, 1997. Though this article contains information on all four of the then DOQI guidelines, much information was also acquired on ESA usage.

For example, 94 percent of respondents felt it was "very" or "extremely" important that the doctor make the decision based on "how EPO works best for me." Furthermore, when asked their view on how important pain of receiving EPO was to their decision, 61 percent felt there was "no", "little" or "neutral" importance to how painful it was to receive the medication subcutaneously.

"AAKP has always and will continue to believe a patient's doctor should discuss all treatment options available to that particular patient and his treatment course of action should be a shared decision after all pros and cons of treatment are reviewed", said AAKP President and transplant patient Roberta Wager, MSN, RN.

AAKP Executive Director/CEO Kris Robinson said, "We are pleased to re-released these survey results to stress the importance of the patient/physician relationship in treatment decision making."

To access AAKP’s original NKF/DOQI guidelines article please click here. You can also request a copy of the article by calling AAKP at (800) 749-AAKP.