Safety and Efficacy of Erythropoietin in CKD Patients

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease is a permanent loss of kidney function. Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by kidney which play an important role in the production of RBC, that carry oxygen from the rest of the body. Lack of oxygen activates EPO production as erythropoietin is sensitive to oxygen levels in the blood that passes through the kidney. EPO production is less in CKD patients and it leads to anaemia. Man- made version of human erythropoietin is epoetin injection. It is used to treat severe anaemia in CKD patients. Objectives: The main objective of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of erythropoietin in CKD patients. Materials and Methods: Study was carried out at Department of Nephrology, Mysore Medical College& Research Institute and K R Hospital, Mysore, India, from March 2020 to May 2020. A total of 40 patients were enrolled in the study as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patient’s demographic data were collected by using patient data collection form and severity of the ADR was assessed by Hartwigs Severity Assessment Scale. Result: Among to patients 23 were female and 17 patients were male. In this study most patients were at age group 45-54years. About 65 % (n=26) of the population was on dialysis. Only 4 patients had experienced ADR and the ADR was mild. Average increase in the Hb level in the study population was 3.78gm/dl. Conclusion: The study was conducted to ensure the safety and efficacy of erythropoietin used by CKD patients. The drug show mild adverse drug reactions and the level haemoglobin raised in patients and improve overall health related quality of life.