High Dose Erythropoietin for the Unexplained Anemia in the Elderly
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Abstract
Objective: To study the outcome of high dose erythropoietin (EPO) therapy in the elderly with the unexplained anemia Patients and Methods: The 60-year old or older participants with the unexplained anemia are treated with weekly subcutaneous injection of erythropoietin (EPO), seven with 30,000 units of beta-EPO (Recormon®) and one with 40,000 units of alpha-EPO (Eprex®). Results: There are eight patients with mean age of 72.4+8.2 years. Every case has complete recovery within 4-16 weeks, mean of hemoglobin level is raised from 9.9+0.6 g% to 13.2+0.6 g%. Four from seven (57.1%) participants of Recormon group respond well within the first four weeks. No side effect or complication is detected. Conclusion: High dose EPO can correct the unexplained anemia in all elderly people within 4-16 weeks.
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