Research Article

Drug Utilization Evaluation of Erythropoietin at a Referral Teaching Hospital in Iran

Table 1

Laboratory factors and erythropoietin characteristics of the study population (n = 230).

VariableValue

Mean basal hemoglobin (g/dl)8.8 ± 1.9
Mean hemoglobin during EPO treatment (g/dl) (%)
(i) Less than 11178 (77.4)
(ii) Between 11 and 1229 (12.6)
(iii) More than 1223 (10)
Mean hematocrit during EPO treatment (%)28.9 ± 5.2
Mean serum potassium during EPO treatment (mEq/L)4.3 ± 0.5
Mean systolic blood pressure (mm Hg)119.5 ± 15.4
Mean diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg)73.50 ± 7.6
Glomerular filtration rate (ml/min/1.73 m2)
(i) Less than 60101 (78.3)
(ii) Equal or more than 6028 (21.7)
Transferrin saturation, n (%)78 (18.5)
Serum ferritin level (ng/ml)5.517
Prescribing iron supplements, n (%)
(i) Injectable form34 (14.8)
(ii) Oral form13 (5.6)
Prescribing folic acid tablets, n (%)137 (59.6)
Prescribing vitamin B12 ampoules, n (%)46 (20)
EPO brand, n (%)
(i) PDpoietin® (EPO alpha)121 (52.6)
(ii) Cinnapoietin® (EPO beta)109 (47.4)
Indication for prescription, n (%)
(i) Anemia due to chronic kidney disease129 (56.1)
(ii) Anemia due to chemotherapy13 (5.7)
(iii) Anemia due to chronic disease88 (38.3)
Number of EPO injections per week, n (%)
(i) Once a week21 (9.1)
(ii) Twice a week52 (22.6)
(iii) Three times a week157 (68.3)
Response to EPO, n (%)
(i) Adequate response124 (53.9)
(ii) Over response15 (6.5)
(iii) Under response91 (39.6)
Dose modification of EPO, n (%)
(i) No dose change126 (54.8)
(ii) Dose reduction15 (6.5)
(iii) Dose increase89 (38.7)

EPO: erythropoietin.