ackground : The causes of anemia in chronic renal failure are multifactorial. Most of all,
a relative deficiency of erythropoietin has been known as the major reason for the renal
anemia. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO), give intraveously, increases the
hemoglobin and hematocrit in many patients with chronic renal failure. However, resulting
cost has been the mosst limiting factor of the use of rHuEPO in developing countries.
Methods ; Fifteen patients were studied (Men ; 10,Women;5, Mean age; 49 years) and
their mean durtion of hemodialysis was 33 month (range ; 10∼70 months), and durationof
rHuEPO treatment was 8 month in average (range 4∼12 months). Baseline mean Hct value
was 19.2% and mean Hct value increased to 20.2% at 4 week after rHuEPO treatment. Hct
were increased to 24%, 23.6%, 23.1% and 24.3% (p<0.05) after 3,6,9 and 12 months of
rHuEPO treatment. Hgb were also increased from 6.4g/dl to 7.3g/dl, 8.0g/dl, 8.1g/dl and
8.2g/dl after 3,6,9 and 12 months of rHuEPO treatment. Transfusion was not required in
any patients.
There were no sustatined pain or hematoma on injettion site. The changes in BUN,
serum creatinine, postassium, phosphate and blood pressure were not statistically significant
after rHuEPO treatment. Thrombosis in vascular access and clotting of dialyzer membrane
were not occurred in any patients. And the quality of life has been also improved in 7
patients who replyed to the questionnaire.
Conclustion : These results sugtest that subcutaneous injectin of low dose rHuEPO
(25unit/kg of body weight) is effective and safe method for anemia management in chronic
renal failure.
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