Blunted serum erythropoietin response to anemia in patients polytransfused for beta-thalassemia major.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the response of erythropoietin (EPO) to anemia in patients polytransfused for beta-thalassemia major.


METHODS
We measured the serum EPO levels and the concurrent hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations in 40 patients polytransfused for beta-thalassemia major, in 18 patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and 32 healthy subjects. Serum EPO levels were assayed by an enzyme immunoassay.


RESULTS
In both groups with beta-thalassemia major and IDA, serum EPO levels were significantly elevated (114 +/- 71 and 239 +/- 217 mU/mL, respectively). There was a significant inverse correlation between log EPO values and Hb concentrations in patients with beta-thalassemia major (r = 0.61; p < 0.01) and IDA (r = 0.81; p < 0.01). In a semilogarithmic plot, the slope of the regression line obtained in patients with beta-thalassemia major was significantly lower than that of IDA (p < 0.01), suggesting a blunted EPO response to anemia in patients polytransfused for beta-thalassemia major. The elevation of serum EPO in patients with beta-thalassemia major was poorly related to clinical variables except serum ferritin.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that a significant inverse relationship between serum EPO levels and Hb concentration exists in patients with beta-thalassemia major. However, this EPO response in patients with anemia caused by beta-thalassemia major may be blunted when compared to patients with IDA.
Chen
J S
JS
Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Lin
K H
KH
Wang
S T
ST
Tsao
C J
CJ
Yeh
T F
TF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*
D006454:Hemoglobins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D005293:Ferritins