Erythropoietin deficiency in the anaemia of chronic disorders

Defective iron metabolism, mild haemolysis and impaired erythropoiesis contribute to the anaemia of chronic disorders (ACD), but evidence for a deficiency of circulating erythropoietin (Epo) is equivocal. We have examined serum Epo in moderately anaemic patients with Hb less than 10 g/dl--41 patient...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inEuropean journal of haematology Vol. 46; no. 4; p. 198
Main Authors Boyd, H K, Lappin, T R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.04.1991
Subjects
Adult
Anemia - blood
Anemia - etiology
Anemia, Hypochromic - blood
Chronic Disease
Erythropoietin - deficiency
Female
Humans
Kidney Failure, Chronic - blood
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasms - complications
Rheumatic Diseases - complications
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Summary:Defective iron metabolism, mild haemolysis and impaired erythropoiesis contribute to the anaemia of chronic disorders (ACD), but evidence for a deficiency of circulating erythropoietin (Epo) is equivocal. We have examined serum Epo in moderately anaemic patients with Hb less than 10 g/dl--41 patients with ACD (23 associated with rheumatoid disease and 18 with malignancy), 17 with uncomplicated iron-deficiency anaemia and 33 with chronic renal failure (CRF). In ACD the serum Epo (mean (confidence limits] results of 41 (31, 54) mU/ml for the rheumatoid group and 63 (49, 80) mU/ml for the malignancy group, were significantly lower than the Epo of 104 (78, 136) mU/ml for the iron-deficiency group. The CRF group with more severe anaemia had serum Epo of 27 (19, 35) mU/ml. Thus, recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu Epo) should be considered for the treatment of ACD associated with rheumatoid disease and malignancy.
ISSN:0902-4441
DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0609.1991.tb00540.x