[Treatment of anemia in patients after long term hemodialysis with human recombinant erythropoietin].

Clinical effectiveness of recombinant human erythropoietin (Epo) administered subcutaneously (sc) was examined in 19 anemic patients. The patients were given Epo twice weekly 2000 U (67 +/- 12 U/kg/week). The results were compared to the group of 20 patients receiving Epo intravenously (i.v.) in doses from 156 +/- 57 U/kg/week to 205 +/- 105 U/kg/week, thrice weekly (control group). According to our findings the target hematocrit level was reached within 12.4 +/- 10 weeks in patients treated sc and 9.6 +/- 5.8 weeks in the control group. The Epo dose required to achieve the increase of Hb by 1 g% was 534 +/- 347 U/kg in patients treated sc and 973 +/- 534 U/kg in the control group. Achievement to target level of hematocrit required lower total amount of Epo units in patients receiving Epo sc (844 +/- 754 vs 1958 +/- 1496 U/kg). Cost of treatment of 1 patient taking Epo sc was significantly lower. The decreasing of frequency of Epo administration was utilized in 17 patients, from twice weekly to once weekly 400 U. After 6 months of the treatment Hb remained unchanged. We conclude that subcutaneous administration of Epo, once weekly is an efficient and convenient method of treatment of renal anemia.