title: [Evaluation of treating anemia in patients undergoing chronic dialysis with small doses of human recombinant erythropoietin].
abstract: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of low dose subcutaneous (sc) recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) therapy in hemodialysis (hd) patients, with particular emphasis on their quality of life. 25 anemic (Ht < 25%) hd patients with end-stage renal disease were given small sc doses of rHuEpo once or twice weekly for 12 months. During first 4 months of the therapy there was a significant increase of Ht (21.1 +/- 0.5 vs 28.5 +/- 0.6%; p < 0.0001) and serum hb (6.68 +/- 0.12 vs 8.51 +/- 0.18 g/dl; p < 0.0001) at mean induction dose of 52.5 +/- 2.5 IU/kg/week and this was maintained with a mean dose 67.0 +/- 10.5 IU/kg/week. RHuEpo was effective in 24 patients; all of them required no blood transfusions after starting the therapy. In majority of patients an substantial (p < 0.01) improvements in exercise tolerance, well-being, cold tolerance, sexual satisfaction and libido were observed, although sexual hormones profile revealed no significant changes during the treatment. Within first 6 months of the study cardiac index decreased substantially (p < 0.01), mainly because of stroke volume reduction, but after one year this hemodynamic improvement was noted only in patients who maintained a stable blood pressure. Hypertension worsened in 31% of patients. Low-dose s.c. rHuEpo: (1) is effective and safe treatment for anemia in hds patients, sufficient to abolish blood transfusion requirements; (2) produces significant improvements in quality of life; and (3) allows for 50% costs reduction.
authors.affiliation: Kliniki Chorób Wewnetrznych AM w Warszawie.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Marusza
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matuszkiewicz-Rowińska
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tomik
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andrzejewski
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rokicka
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paszkowska
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Drygieniec
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bobilewicz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zawadzka
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbas-Fatah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006435:Renal Dialysis
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin
vernacular_title: Ocena leczenia niedokrwistości u chorych przewlekle dializowanych małymi dawkami ludzkiej rekombinowanej erytropoetyny.