Abstract
We evaluated the efficacy of human recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) on autologous blood predonation in the case of 6 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 5 non-RA patients. Autologous blood was collected once a week for 3 weeks before surgery. All patients received oral ferrous sulfate 200 mg per day for 4 weeks before surgery, and were divided into 2 groups, one treated with 6, 000 units of EPO 3 days a week and one not treated. Hemoglobin recovery rate increased significantly in both RA and non-RA EPO treated groups compared to 33 non-treated groups, including 22 non-RA and 11 RA patients. No side effects occurred during EPO therapy.
We conclude that EPO is effective for non-RA patients, and also for RA patients with anemia.
