title: [Effect of low-dose recombinant humane erythropoietin therapy on the quality of life in patients with anemia in the course of end-stage renal failure treated with dialysis].
abstract: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of low-dose subcutaneous recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) therapy in hemodialysis patients with particular emphasis on their quality of life. Twenty five anemic (Ht25%) patients (14 males and 11 females, age 39-13 years) with end-stage renal disease were given rHuEpo (initial dose: 52.5 +/- 2.5 IU/kg/week; maintenance dose: 67.0-10.5 IU/kg/week) once or twice weekly for 12 months. Quality of life, assessed by self-administered questionnaire (1-3 scale), was measured every month. Additionally, sexual functions (-1 up to 3 scale, basal level 0), including libido and sexual satisfaction, and serum sex hormones (testosterone, LH, FSH, prolactin) were evaluated every 6 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), which was maintained for the whole study period. From the 3rd month in majority of patients a marked (p < 0.01) improvement in their physical fitness, mood and cold tolerance was noted. Despite a substantial increase in sexual satisfaction (p < 0.01) and libido (p < 0.001), no significant changes in serum sex hormones profile, except transient rise in serum prolactin level, were observed. It is concluded that low-dose rHuEpo therapy for the renal anemia of hemodialysis patients is associated with a sustained significant improvement in their quality of life and sexual functions, despite no significant changes in sex hormones serum levels.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Chorób Wewnetrznych AM w Warszawie.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matuszkiewicz-Rowińska
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Marusza
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andrzejewski
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goliat
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pacocha
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Switalski
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zawadzka
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ostrowski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012725:Sexual Behavior
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D006728:Hormones; D004921:Erythropoietin