Erythropoietin therapy of anaemia in predialysed patients with chronic renal failure

ABSTRACT

Erythropoietin [EPO] therapy and appropriate iron administration are important aspects for managing the anemia of chronic renal failure. Achieving target hemoglobin levels of 11 to 12g/dl, and optimizing iron balance should improve clinical outcome and increase patient quality of life. The need for blood transfusions has been largely eliminated. METHODS. 20 patients were included in this study, 40units/Kg twice weekly, subcutaneously of EPO were given to all patients. Serial hemoglobin [Hgb.], hematocrit [Hct.], platelets, ferritin, urea, creatinine were estimated regularly. The rate of increasing Hgb. were Ig/month, steady increase in the Hct levels, moderate rise in the platelets count within the normal range during treatment with EPO, this progresses during the course of continued therapy Transient increase in serum potassium, a fall in serum ferritin were observed in patient whom were not taking iron supplement, therefore oral iron was started accompanied with a rise in serum ferritn. Our study affords conclusive evidence that EPO therapy gives good results in the treatment of anemia in chronic renal insufficiency with no deleterious increase in blood pressure