TY - JOUR
T1 - Recombinant human erythropoietin
T2 - Effect on the functional performance of anemic orthopedic patients
AU - Green, David
AU - Lawler, Mary
AU - Rosen, Michelle
AU - Bloom, Stephen
AU - Duerden, Mark
AU - Turba, Rose
AU - Kern, Hilary
AU - Kirschner, Kristi
AU - Ronin, David
PY - 1996/3
Y1 - 1996/3
N2 - Objective: To determine whether rapid correction of anemia improves the functional and cognitive performance of postoperative orthopedic patients. Design: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Setting: A rehabilitation institute. Patients: Persons having orthopedic surgery at least 2 weeks previously, and a hemoglobin concentration < 10g/dL. Interventions: Recombinant human erythropoietin (rH-EPO) or the EPO vehicle for up to 8 weeks. All patients received ferrous sulfate. Measurements: Blood counts were performed at weekly intervals, and functional and cognitive tests at baseline and weeks 4 and 8. Results: In patients receiving vehicle only, hemoglobin levels increased from a mean of 9.0 at baseline to 11.0 at 4 weeks and 11.7 at 8 weeks; corresponding values for rH-EPO were 8.8 (p = NS), 12.6 (p = .02), and 13.5 (p = .01). However, functional improvement in dressing, toileting, and mobility was similar between groups, and the results of neuropsychological tests showed no trends favoring rH-EPO. Conclusions: Although hemoglobin increases more rapidly in anemic orthopedic patients treated with rH-EPO, equally rapid functional improvement occurs in those who receive only iron therapy.
AB - Objective: To determine whether rapid correction of anemia improves the functional and cognitive performance of postoperative orthopedic patients. Design: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Setting: A rehabilitation institute. Patients: Persons having orthopedic surgery at least 2 weeks previously, and a hemoglobin concentration < 10g/dL. Interventions: Recombinant human erythropoietin (rH-EPO) or the EPO vehicle for up to 8 weeks. All patients received ferrous sulfate. Measurements: Blood counts were performed at weekly intervals, and functional and cognitive tests at baseline and weeks 4 and 8. Results: In patients receiving vehicle only, hemoglobin levels increased from a mean of 9.0 at baseline to 11.0 at 4 weeks and 11.7 at 8 weeks; corresponding values for rH-EPO were 8.8 (p = NS), 12.6 (p = .02), and 13.5 (p = .01). However, functional improvement in dressing, toileting, and mobility was similar between groups, and the results of neuropsychological tests showed no trends favoring rH-EPO. Conclusions: Although hemoglobin increases more rapidly in anemic orthopedic patients treated with rH-EPO, equally rapid functional improvement occurs in those who receive only iron therapy.
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U2 - 10.1016/S0003-9993(96)90105-7
DO - 10.1016/S0003-9993(96)90105-7
M3 - Article
C2 - 8600865
AN - SCOPUS:0029999027
SN - 0003-9993
VL - 77
SP - 242
EP - 246
JO - Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
JF - Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
IS - 3
ER -