RESUMO
Background: Renal anemia is associated with increased cardio vascular morbidity and mortality and decreased quality of life. It may worsen the preexisting heart disease and consequently may accelerate the progression of renal dysfunction in a vicious circle.Renal anemia related mainly to decreased production of erythropoietin [EPO] by the kidney, decreased it's response by bone marrow and disturbed iron status
Aim of the Study: Was to evaluate the relationship between HCV infection and erythrropoietin in patients on regular HD
Patients and Methods: This study included 50 hemodialysis patients [25 patients +ve HCV and 25 -ve HCV], 16 were male and 34 were female, and their ages ranged from 20 to 67 years, with a mean +/- SD of 50.5 +/- 12.7 years, 15 apparently healthy individuals with normal kidney function and not anemic were included in the study as a control Group
Results: The patients were divided into two groups as the following: Group I consisted of 25 hemodialysis patients were positive for HCV antibody, which was confirmed by PCR, and their ages ranged from 27 to 67 years, with a mean of 47.28 +/- 11.91 years. Group II consisted of 25 hemodialysis patients were negative for HCV antibody; their ages ranged from 20 to 65 years, with a mean age of 46.32 +/- 11.50 years. In contrast, 15 patients served as age-matched and gender-matched; their ages ranged from 20 to 55 years, with a mean age of 44.13 +/- 10.76 years, and were used as controls
Conclusion: Serum levels of erythropoietin correlate with chronic hepatitis C infection, which was associated with an increased number of RBCs and higher values of hemoglobin and hematocrit, which Result in lowering of the necessary erythropoietin dose and iron therapy