Erythropoietin-dependent anaemia: a possible complication of diabetic neuropathy.
We report the case of a 52-year-old woman with long-term type 1 diabetes mellitus, complicated with proliferative retinopathy, autonomic neuropathy and microalbuminuria and moderate renal failure. A normochromic, normocytic are generative anaemia had been diagnosed for three years. Clinical and biological investigations for the aetiology of anaemia remained normal or negative. Anaemia was associated with a concentration of erythropoietin (EPO) in the normal range, but inappropriately low regarding anaemia. Treatment with recombinant EPO induced a rapid increase in haemoglobin level and improved the patient's quality of life. The role of diabetic neuropathy in the genesis of anaemia, in conjunction with a modest renal impairment is discussed.
Hadjadj
S
S
Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Hospital, BP 577, 86021 Poitiers Cedex, France. cca.endocrino@chu-poitiers.fr
Torremocha
F
F
Fanelli
A
A
Brizard
A
A
Bauwens
M
M
Maréchaud
R
R
D000419:Albuminuria; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000503:physiopathology; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin