[The effect of low doses of recombinant human erythropoietin on renal anemia in predialysis patients with chronic renal failure].

ABSTRACT

Subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) has been proven to be effective in anemia of predialysis patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). However, the optimal dosage and frequency of administration have not been established. We use low dose (< 100U.kg-1.w-1) of s.c. rHuEPO to treat renal anemia in two groups (group A n = 18, twice a week; group B; n = 14, once a week) of nondialytic CRF patients. Hb and Hct gradually increased 1-3 months aftes rHuEPO treatment in the two groups. The incidence of hypertension, one of the main side effects, was lower (4/18 in Group A, 4/14 in Group B) than that reported in the literature. These results showed that either twice weekly or once weekly s.c. injection of low dose rHuEPO is effective and there will be less side effects treating predialysis patients with CRF.