Effect of darbepoetin alfa on physical function in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Abstract

Objective: To study whether perioperative treatment with darbepoetin alfa (DA) improves physical performance following colorectal cancer surgery.

Methods: Patients admitted for planned colorectal cancer surgery were randomized to receive either weekly placebo or DA 300 or 150 microg depending on the hemoglobin (Hb) concentration. Patients were assessed 10 days before, as well as 7 and 30 days after surgery for work capacity, postural sway, muscle strength, fatigue and quality of life (QoL). The primary outcome measure were the changes in patients' physical performance from preoperative to postoperative day 7.

Results: Of 221 included patients, 151 were evaluable. Baseline characteristics were similar in the 2 groups. Patients receiving DA had a significantly better working capacity on day 7 (p = 0.03) and day 30 (p = 0.03) compared with the placebo group. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups on days 7 or 30 for fatigue, postural sway and QoL. DA treatment significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the decrease in Hb concentrations on day 7 and resulted in an earlier return (p < 0.01) to the preoperative Hb concentration compared to placebo treatment.

Conclusion: Perioperative DA treatment improved postoperative work capacity and Hb concentrations, but had no effect on postoperative fatigue, postural sway, QoL and muscle strength.