Human recombinant erythropoietin in the treatment of anaemia in chronic haemodialysis patients.

Five women aged 50-64 years with chronic renal failure caused by interstitial nephritis, maintained by chronic haemodialysis, were treated for three months with human recombinant erythropoietin. The blood haemoglobin level roce from 78.0 +/- 6.9 g/l to 108.4 +/- 15.5 g/l, haematocrit from 21.8 +/- 1.8% to 33.6 +/- 4.8%, and the rate of reticulocytes 1.8% to 4.9%. Serum ferritin concentration declined from 2213 +/- 1982 micrograms/l to 850 +/- 953 micrograms/l. Unlike the pre-treatment period, no blood transfusion had to be given during the administration of erythropoietin. The patients' general condition improved. There were no serious complications. The action of erythropoietin persisted for two months. Human recombinant erythropoietin is a significant help in the treatment of patients with chronic renal failure.