Recombinant human erythropoietin for treating severe traumatic brain injury

This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of recombinant human erythropoietin (RHE) for the treatment of severe traumatic brain injury (STBI).

One hundred and twenty eligible patients with STBI were randomly divided into an intervention group or a control group equally. Patients in the intervention group received RHE. The participants in the control group received 0.9% saline. The outcome measurements included the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores, mortality, and any adverse events.

At the end of 10-week follow-up after treatment, RHE neither showed greater efficacy in GOS scores (1-2, P = .43; 3-4, P = .25; 5-6, P = .58; 7-8, P = .23), nor the lower mortality in the intervention group than those in the control group (P = .47). In addition, both groups had similar safety profile.

This study found that RHE did not improve the neurological outcomes in patients with STBI.