title: [Use of recombinant human erythropoietin in the treatment of anemia in hemodialyzed patients: a multicentric study].
abstract: Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu-EPO) therapy was given to 25 patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis, for 12 weeks, in 5 Brazilian dialysis centers. The dose of rHu-EPO was given intravenously thrice weekly, initially at 50 Units/kg/dose. If the target hemoglobin concentration (10g/dL) was not achieved by four weeks the dose was increased to 75 and 100 Units/kg/dose. After 4 weeks hemoglobin concentration had achieved 10g/dL in only one patient, and, after 8 weeks, 10 patients (40% of all cases) had hemoglobin levels higher than the target concentration. After 12 weeks, the hemoglobin increased from 7.1 +/- 1.1 to 9.6 +/- 1.2 g/dL, the target hemoglobin concentration was achieved in 15 patients (60% of all cases). There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in hematocrit (from 22 +/- 4 to 31 +/- 4 vol%), in body weight (from 55.03 +/- 12.24 to 56.16 +/- 12.86kg), and in serum phosphorus (from 5.85 +/- 2.02 to 6.82 +/- 2.34 mg/dL). There were no significant changes in blood pressure, serum levels of creatinine, of potassium, and of transferrin. Increase in blood pressure (in 3 patients), fever (in 2 patients), increase in the heparin dose needs (in 2 cases), and vascular access thrombosis (in 1 patient) were the most important adverse effects observed during rHu-EPO therapy. Thus, the anemia of chronic renal failure may be easily corrected with adequate amounts of recombinant human erythropoietin. Attention must be paid to some adverse effects during reversal of anemia.
authors.affiliation: Hosp. das Clín. da Fac. de Med., Univ. de São Paulo.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Romão Júnior
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abensur
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Draibe
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bandeira
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ruzzany
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lowen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riella
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Evangelista Júnior
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sabbaga
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001938:Brazil; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006435:Renal Dialysis
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin
vernacular_title: Uso da eritropoetina recombinante humana no tratamento da anemia do paciente em hemodiálise: um estudo multicêntrico.