Relationship between the Dose of Erythropoietin and the Dialysis Adequecy

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between the dose of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) and the dialysis efficacy in shahroud hemodialysis patients. Methods: After the inclusion of subjects with atleast 6 months history of dialysis, therapy requirements of subcutaneus EPO for 4 months, frettin>100 ng/ml and target hematocrite to 30%, data from 54 hemodialysis patients in shahroud were collected. Dialysis adequecy was evaluated with Kt/V index. Results: Thirty males (55.6%) and 24 females (44.4%) were evaluated that in 38 patients (70.4%) equilibrated Kt/V was less than 1.2 (low adequecy) and 29.6% (16 patients) have equilibrated Kt/V over 1.2. Frettin, iron, Hb and HCT levels did not differ between the 2 groups, but in patients with Kt/V>1.2 the mean injected EPO dose was significantly less than the other group. Conclusion: Compared with other study we identified that adequate dialysis (Kt/V>1.2) can reduces the need to EPO doses and also can to decrease its costs and side effects.