[Efficacy of recombinant erythropoietin on the quality of life in patients over 60 years of age undergoing hemodialysis].

We followed for a period of six months, 54 patients of over 60 years old, submitted to hemodialitic treatment. We gave human recombinant erythropoietin, average dosage 50 UI/Kg subcutaneously on alternative days, folic acid and iron supplements together with a proteic supply of 1.2 g/Kg/die (35 Kcal/Kg). The medullary response has been monitored with hematochemical tests; blood pressure and nutritional conditions have been evaluated. Furthermore, the patients were given a questionnaire to evaluate their quality of life. At the end of the follow up, 50 patients responded positively to therapy. These patients showed an increase of RBC (from 2,789,780 +/- 259,310 to 3,313,110 +/- 472,780 p < 0.001) of HCT (from 21.86% +/- 2.16% to 27.18 +/- 2.74% p < 0.0001) and of Hb (from 7.72 +/- 1.12 g/dl to 9.28 +/- 0.98 g/dl p < 0.006). Total protein and albumin increased too. Furthermore they showed a progressive increase of "performance status". Our results confirm efficacy of erythropoietin in the treatment of anemia in elderly hemodialized patients.