The effects of recombinant human erythropoietin on autologous blood donation in rheumatoid arthritis patients with anaemia

Objectives The effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) treatment on autologous blood donation was evaluated in anaemic patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing total joint replacement surgery. Methods A total of 56 total knee or hip joint replacement operations were performed in the knee or hip joint in 36 anaemic RA patients (hemoglobin (Hb) concentration < 11.0 g/dl). All of the patients received intravenous rHuEPO at a dose of 100 - 200 units/kg body weight three rimes a week for 3 weeks. An autologous blood donation of 800 - 1200 g was the goal for each patient. A refractory case was defined as a patient whose Hb level did not increase to 10.0 g/dl after 3 weeks of treatment with rHuEPO. The objective signs of arthritis were assessed by the Lansbury activity index (AI). During the treatment period, the patients underwent weekly hematological analyses, including routine hematology, serum iron, serum ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum erythropoietin levels. Results The response to rHuEPO treatment was determined, and blood donation was possible in 47 of 56 joint replacements. In the other 9 operations, donation was not possible due to a poor response to rHuEPO. The mean Hb level before treatment in the refractory group (8.3 g/dl) was significantly lower than that in the responsive group (10.4 g/dl, p = 0.0002). During the treatment period, the mean erythropoietin level was above the normal limit in the refractory group. The mean AI for the refractory group tended to be lower than that in the responsive group. The mean pre-treatment CRP (6.4 mg/dl) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (87.1 mm/h) levels in the refractory group were significantly higher than those in the responsive group (CRP: 3.2 mg/dl, p = 0.008 ESR: 52.6 mm/h, p = 0.01). Conclusions The control of disease activity prior to rHuEPO treatment is considered to a prerequisite for autologous blood donation. In addition, severe anaemia (Hb concentration < 8.0 g/dl) appears to be another risk factor for refractoriness to rHuEPO treatment with the present protocol. A higher rHuEPO dose (> 200 units/kg/3 times a week for three weeks) was considered to be necessary in the refractory group.