Clinical effects of recombinant human erythropoietin in hemodialysis patients. Results of the "Abruzzo" Multicenter Trial.
Anemia in regular dialysis treatment (RDT) patients is primarily due to a deficiency in renal-derived recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO). The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of a multicenter trial in 81 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on RDT. An "open" study was conducted over 2 years; starting dose of r-HuEPO was 50 IU/kg/three times weekly i.v. and eventually was increased in steps of 25 Ul/kg/dialysis until 300 Ul/kg/week. Mean weekly dose per patient was 15 Ul/kg, with mean Hb increase of 27.5%. Mean hematocrit (Hct) levels increased in these patients from 22.9 +/- 2.5 to 31.7 +/- 2.8 (p less than 0.001) after 2 years of therapy. Both spontaneous and evoked potentials improved. The response to r-HuEPO is dose dependent; hypertension and hyperkalemia are the most common side effects, but they are easily controlled. Central nervous system function before and after treatment is improved, and seems consistent with an enhancement of patients' quality of life.
Di Paolo
B
B
Institute of Nephrology, University of Chieti, Italy.
Di Liberato
L
L
Summa
R
R
Catucci
G
G
Del Rosso
G
G
Muscianese
P
P
Albertazzi
A
A
D000328:Adult; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006400:Hematocrit; D006452:Hemoglobinometry; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012156:Reticulocytes; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014168:Transferrin; D004921:Erythropoietin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron