Recombinant Human Erythropoietin in Anaemic Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

Abstract

The effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on the anaemia of end-stage renal disease was investigated in 76 transfusion-dependent haemodialysis patients. EPO was administered intravenously in a dose of 50/kg, 3 times a week for 12 weeks. The haematocrit had risen from 18.7 ± 1-9 to 26.6 ± 3.8 on day 84. Fifty-eight patients (76.3%) responded with an increase in haeinalocrit of 6. Complications included hypertension (21.1%), iron deficiency (18.4%), thrombosis of vascular access (7.9%). Tins relatively low rate response could be accounted for by differences in the treatment policy. It remains to be seen whether the standard protocol of EPO use in renal failure would improve the response.