Study of some effects of recombinant human erythropoietin [r-HuEpo] administration on anemic hemodialysis [HD] patients

ABSTRACT

The cardinal effect of erythropoitin is the induction of division and differentiation of marrow stem cells into recognisable erythroblast precursors. Iron deficiency anaemia is common among HD patients due to frequent blood loss and or poor absorption if not counteracted by the removal of haem synthesis inhibitors. Recombinant erythropoitin [r-HuEpo] administration was tried in six HD patients for one year. The effect of treatment on clinical condition was perfect although non significant improvement of Hb, Ht, reticulocyte and platelet count was found. Also elevation of serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin was quite little. Should all HD patients with iron deficiency anaemia receive r-HuEpo. The decision will not only depend on the cost, but will be influenced by the effect of treatment on improvement of the clinical and laboratory findings: