[Subcutaneous administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (R-EPO) in the treatment of anemia in predialysis patients with chronic renal failure].

10 anemic (HB less than 9.0 g/dl) predialysis patients with chronic renal failure were treated for three months with s.c. administration of r-Epo. Blood morphological parameters were estimated using hematological autoanalyser Technicon H1. An increase of the mean hemoglobin (Hb) level from 8.39 to 10.57 g/dl was observed. In 8 patients Hb concentration after 3 months therapy ranged from 9.4 to 12.7 g/dl, but in the remaining two of them Hb was lower than 9.0 g/dl. Appearance of a high percentage of hypochromic erythrocytes is probably the most characteristic response to r-Epo treatment. This phenomenon was caused by iron deficiency. A significant increase of serum creatinine and BUN levels were observed in treated patients, without the concomitant decrease of endogenous creatinine clearance. No clinical symptoms suggesting deterioration of the renal function were observed. Subcutaneous therapy with r-Epo appeared an effective and convenient method of treatment of anemia in predialysis patients.