The Impact of Human Recombinant Erythropoietin on Renal Function in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide health problem. But despite to new routes of dialysis, mortality and morbidity is high. One of the most common symptom of CKD is anemia, especially is more obvious in stages 3 and 4.

Objectives: In this study, the effects of erythropoietin on renal function were assessed by measurement of serum creatinine level.

Patients and Methods: Twenty three adult patients with CKD in the stages 3 and 4, enrolled in study and serum creatinine level was monthly measured three months before need to prescribe the erythropoietin due to anemia resulting from CKD (hemoglobin less than 12g/dl) and continued 6 months after administration of the drug. Based on patients' needs, the drug was administered subcutaneously in a dose of 4000-6000 units per week so patients' hemoglobin level became more than 12g/dL. During the study, all patients who required to dialysis or kidney transplantation were excluded from the study

Results: Mean of creatinine and 1/creatinine values in 4 stages including three-month before intervention, time to intervention, and the three months after the intervention and the six month after the intervention were 2.17 and 0.50; 2.45 and 0.45; 2.41 and 0.47; 2.30 and 0.49 respectively which were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The administration of recombinant human erythropoietin in stage 3 and 4 of chronic kidney disease, improves anemia with no impact on renal function.