Erythropoietin and improvement of anemia in long-term hemodialysis patients.

Two groups, with 4 patients each were selected for study out of 155 patients on regular hemodialysis (HD): Group I, with hematocrit (PCV) less than 20% and group II, with PCV greater than 30%. The patients in both groups had been anemic at the start of HD treatment, but a significant improvement in their anemia had occurred only among the patients in the Group II. The main difference between the two patient groups, other than the degree of anemia, was found to be in serum erythropoietin (Ep) levels. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in serum urea, creatinine, parathyroid hormone or CFU-E growth inhibition. Acquired cystic disease of the kidney was found in five patients from group I, and in 11 patients from group II. The correlation between the number of cysts in the kidneys and the patient's PCV and serum Ep levels proved significantly positive. The results presented could be regarded as another proof that diseased kidney is capable of functioning as an Ep producing organ despite the loss of excretory function.