Treatment of anemia in patients with chronic renal insufficiency undergoing hemodialysis with recombinant human erythropoietin: 12 months' experience.

Authors

  • F T de Sousa Departamento de Nefrologia, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisboa.
  • M M Prata
  • J V Barbas
  • J P dos Santos

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.4596

Abstract

In this study we analyse the effects of the administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) during 12 months to correct the anaemia in a group of 17 patients (9 men and 8 women; mean age 52.7 +/- 13.7; range 23 to 68 years) with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on chronic haemodialysis (HD) for a range of 14 to 126 months (mean 43.1 +/- 29.6). In the correction period the rHuEpo was started at 50 U/Kg i.v. 3 times a week, immediately after each HD. This dose was maintained during 4 weeks and then increased in 25 U/Kg steps until haemoglobin (Hb) levels of 12 g/dl or a maximum dose of 100 U/Kg were reached. During the long-term maintenance period the individual rHuEpo dose was adjusted to keep the Hb constant at the target level of 10-12 g/dl. Baseline blood tests were done before the beginning of the treatment and every months afterwards. The levels of Hb increased significantly in week 4 and at the end of the first 3 month only 4 patients had no answer to rHuEpo. These patients had baseline serum ferritin levels below 100 ng/ml and responded well when this defficiency was corrected with oral iron. When levels of 30-35 vol% haematocrit (Hct) were reached the dose of rHuEpo could be reduced (150 to 200 U/Kg/week). The serum ferritin levels decreased 51% from a mean baseline level of 247.8 +/- 196 to 121.1 +/- 154.9 ng/ml with the onset of the maintenance phase (p less than 0.05).

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

How to Cite

1.
de Sousa FT, Prata MM, Barbas JV, dos Santos JP. Treatment of anemia in patients with chronic renal insufficiency undergoing hemodialysis with recombinant human erythropoietin: 12 months’ experience. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 1990 Dec. 31 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];3(6):347-52. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/4596

Issue

Section

Arquivo Histórico