Study of recombinant human erythropoietin administration for anemia in hemodialysis patients clinical study of dose determination

Abstract

Two hundred and seventy-three hemodialysis patients from 18 dialysis centers were enrolled in this study. The subjects were divided into 3 groups according to an initial dosage. The initial dosage administered caused a dosedependent rise in hematocrit values after four weeks.
There was, however no statistically significant difference among the three groups after 12 weeks. For maintenance treatment, the amounts of erythropoietin administered were lower than in the initial treatment. The weekly average dose during the 13-24th week period was less than or equal to 4, 500IU/week in about 80% of patients. But 25% of the patients needed 6, 000IU/week to maintain hematocrit values of 30%. Adverse effects occrred in 34 (12.5%) of 273 patients. The two major problems were a rise in blood pressure (22 cases) and headache (6 cases).
We recommend an initial dose of 3, 000IU/week. This dose should result in a slow but substantial rise in hematocrit.