[Erythropoietin levels in patients with multiple sclerosis complicated with anemia]

To explore the potential decrease of serum erythropoietin (EPO) level in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) complicated with anemia.

The serum EPO levels were detected in the patients with MS complicated with anemia (MS group, n=31), patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA group, n=33), and healthy subjects (normal control group, n=80) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Blood routine test, reticulocyte count, hemoglobin, and indexes of liver and kidney function were also detected.

The serum EPO level in MS group was significantly lower than those in IDA group [(101.3±17.6)U/L vs.(166.1±8.7)U/L, P<0.01]. Moreover, the serum EPO level decreased as the severity of anemia in the MS group increased: it was (95.7±9.6), (101.7±8.1), and (123.7±9.3) U/L in patients with mild, moderate, and severe anemia, respectively (P<0.05). Other indicators including blood routine findings, reticulocyte count, hemoglobin, and liver and kidney function parameters showed no significant difference between the MS group and the IDA group (P>0.05).

The serum EPO level decreases in patients with multiple sclerosis complicated with anemia, and the decreasing levels are related with the severity of anemia. Thus EPO therapy may be beneficial for these patients.