The effect of subcutaneous recombinant human erythropoietin (r-Hu EPO) in CAPD patients with renal anaemia.

Several factors may contribute to the pathogenesis of uraemic anaemia but there is general agreement that inadequate secretion of erythropoietin is the main cause. Recombinant human erythropoietin (r-Hu EPO) is today widely used in the treatment of patients with renal anaemia. Initial studies were conducted on patients receiving haemodialysis (HD) using intravenous dosing, and number of reports have confirmed the efficacy and safety of the hormone. However, there is still limited information on the use of r-Hu EPO in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The cost of this treatment was initially very high. The optimal way of administration of the drug and optimal dosage is still under discussion. More studies are needed to optimize treatment from a clinical as well as an economic point of view. We therefore present our result on the efficacy and safety of low dose r-Hu EPO given subcutaneously in th treatment of anemia in CAPD patients.