Compared to patients with Hb < 10 g/dL and ESA dose between 5000 and 10,000 units per week, the HR for all-cause mortality for those prescribed ESA dose > 25,000 units per week was 1.54 (1.01–2.36); these data support the possibility that proactively treating anemia prior to dialysis start may improve outcomes after dialysis initiation26. This evidence concerns the gene GSTM1 and anemia (phenotype).