Beneficial and Adverse Effects of Correction of Anaemia by Recombinant Human Erythropoietin in Patients on Maintenance Haemodialysis

Correction of Anaemia with Recombinant Human Erythropoietin

“…In 9 patients treated for 12 weeks the mean haemoglobin rose from a mean basal value of 6.1 g/dl (range 4.6-S.8) to 10.3 (range 9.5-12.8). Further studies confirmed these initial results showing that rHuEPO is uniformly effective in virtually all haemodialysis patients with uncomplicated anaemia [13][14][15][16][17][18].…”

“…Increased appetite, improved sleep, less depression, greater toler ance of cold, relief from Raynaud's phenomenon, in creased hair growth, improved sexual function and re turn to menstrual cycles have been reported [14,21]. Some patients in a previously disabled physical condition were fully rehabilitated with rHuEPO therapy [16]. A marked improvement of wound healing has also been observed [16].…”

“…Some patients in a previously disabled physical condition were fully rehabilitated with rHuEPO therapy [16]. A marked improvement of wound healing has also been observed [16].…”

“…Some iron-loaded pa tients can develop severe haemosiderosis which can ac count for progressive liver dysfunction [34], others pres ent an impaired neutrophil defence against yersinia in fections [35]. rHuEPO therapy decreases serum ferritin levels [11,13,14,16,36] and therefore can be considered as an effective treatment of iron overload. Eschbach et al…”

“…Others have reported short-lived Hu-like symptoms or abdominal cramps. Only exceptionally had rHuEPO therapy to be discontinued ei ther because of weakness and pain in the joints or because of recurrent headache after infusion [16]. No signs of aller gic reaction to rHuEPO have been reported so far.…”