Research Article

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

Table 2

Comparison of total erythropoietin administration indices with standard instructions in the study population (n = 230).

IndexAppropriate (%)Inappropriate (%) value

Dose52.647.40.2293
Intervals and frequency of administration77.422.6<0.0001
Route of administration1000<0.0001
Indication56.143.90.1056
Monitoring of laboratory and clinical parameters before and during treatment54.345.70.1085
Proportion of dose adjustment based on response rate98.11.9<0.0001
Attention to the target Hb ≥ 12 to decide whether or not to continue treatment937<0.0001
Attention to absolute and relative contraindications98.71.3<0.0001
Monitoring drug interactions98.71.3<0.0001
Administration of injectable or oral iron supplements during treatment (only in CKD patients)29.570.5<0.0001

Hb: hemoglobin, CKD: chronic kidney disease.