Erythropoietin in the Treatment of Anaemia

Anaemia is a prevalent clinical presentation in individuals suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). This issue is linked to an elevated incidence of illness and death in patients. Erythropoietin is a renal hormone that is essential for the synthesis of red blood cells (RBCs). Anemia occurs due to a lack of production and premature destruction of RBC. The basic role of erythropoietin is to stimulate the bone marrow and increase the production of RBC when the body has a low oxygen level in the circulatory system. In anaemia, there is a deficiency of RBC or haemoglobin. In this condition, the body may release more erythropoietin in response to low oxygen levels. If the anaemia is related to the production of RBC or CKD, erythropoietin therapy can be used. This therapy will stimulate the bone marrow to produce more RBC. The first recombinant human erythropoietin was epoetin alpha approved by the US FDA in 1989. A substance similar to that of epoetin alpha is known as erythropoietin stimulating agent (EPA). Nowadays, treatment with ESA agents has become very popular for the treatment of anaemia that occurs in CKD patients. This chapter focuses on the role of ESA therapy in the treatment of anaemic patients with CKD.