The effects of rHuEPO administration on pulmonary functions in haemodialysis patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of erythropoietin therapy on pulmonary functions in haemodialysis patients. Thirteen patients with chronic renal failure on regular haemodialysis and in need of treatment for anaemia were treated with 45-60 U/kg erythropoietin three times a week. Thirteen haemodialysis patients constituted the control group. Patients receiving erythropoietin were given pulmonary function tests prior to the treatment and after Hb levels had reached 10 g/dl. The interval between first and second pulmonary function tests was similar for both the control group and the erythropoietin group. There was no significant difference between the results of the first and the second pulmonary function tests of the control group. However, in the erythropoietin group, the diffusing capacity, maximal voluntary ventilation, forced vital capacity and peak expiratory flow rate values increased significantly. The existence of a relationship between the diffusing capacity and anaemia is well known. Rises in other parameters following erythropoietin administration might be the result of a gain in respiratory muscle strength consequent to anaemia correction.