Sixteen anaemic CAPD patients (Hb less than 9 g/dl) were treated with thrice-weekly subcutaneous recombinant erythropoietin, epoetin-alfa. The dose was adjusted to induce a stepwise increase in haemoglobin. Fourteen patients reached a first target haemoglobin of 11.0-11.5 g/dl and eight of these a second of 13.0-13.5 g/dl, but one could not be maintained at this level. Failure to reach or maintain the second target in nine subjects was accounted for by incomplete responses associated with infection in one, extreme shortening of red-cell survival in another, and was unexplained in one subject. These three received the maximum dose studied of 450 IU/kg per week. Six other subjects were withdrawn from the study for reasons unrelated to treatment with erythropoietin. The median dose required to maintain the haemoglobin at 11.0-11.5 g/dl was 75 IU/kg per week and at 13.0-13.5 g/dl was 150 IU/kg per week. Quality of life, assessed in 12 patients at haemoglobin 11.0-11.5 g/dl, showed significant improvement in energy, and at 13.0-13.5 g/dl improvements in sleep and emotional wellbeing became significant. Twelve subjects required either institution of, or an increase in, treatment for hypertension. The thrice-weekly subcutaneous doses of erythropoietin were well tolerated and were a convenient and effective treatment for anaemia in patients on CAPD.

The patient and his or her treatment is the main focus of the multidisciplinary team in the Renal Unit, yet the most important part of the patient's life is that spent at home, outside the hospital. It is important to recognise the contribution to care of the patient's family, especially the spouse. It is also important to understand the carer's needs. Carers experience many of the stresses associated with End Stage Renal Failure, while being relatively unsupported and unappreciated by hospital staff. This paper focuses on the need for imagination and understanding of the carer's predicament, and suggests ways in which carer's needs can be met.

Twenty -two continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, mean age 48 years, at 3 U.K. renal units were assessed with the Nottingham Health Profile (N HP) before and after treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO). Mean (SD) hemoglobin (Hb) at baseline was 7.5 (1.0) gIn/dl and 10.8 (1.5) gIn/dl at retest. There were significant improvements in energy (p<0.0001), social life (p<0.005), relationships at home (p<0.05) and leisure pursuits (p<0.05). Twelve patients, mean age 51 years, who had already completed more than 9 months on r-HuEPO treatment were reassessed to determine the changes sustained. Mean (SD) Hb at second retest was 12.8 (1.3) gm/dl. Improvement in energy continued to be significant, and emotional wellbeing showed further improvement. Problems with household tasks, which had not shown significant improvement at Test B, were now considerably reduced (p=0.016). The study showed far-reaching benefits similar to those reported in hemodialysis patients, in a population with a higher mean age and higher potential coexisting illness or disability than most reported hemodialysis studies.

No abstract

No abstract