Multicenter study with recombinant human erythropoietin.

A multicenter study with recombinant human erythropoietin (rh-EPO) was carried out. Of 172 hemodialysis patients with anemia selected for the study from 20 hospitals and clinics, 77 were males and 95 females (mean age 53.9 years). A starting dose of 1,500 U of rh-EPO (Epoetin beta) was administered intravenously at the end of every dialysis session. If the efficacy was not acceptable, the dose was increased to 3,000 U. When the target hematocrit was achieved (30%), the total dose was decreased. The results of the study were excellent relative to those of other multicenter studies with regard to efficacy, safety, and changes in laboratory data. The incidence of hypertension was lower in our study compared with other reports because we used a low initial dose. The efficacy of rh-EPO therapy was determined earlier and more reliably by reticulocytes than by hematocrit or hemoglobin. Prompt iron supplement therapy is recommended with careful observation of serum iron and ferritin.