Factors Contributing to Erythropoietin Hyporesponsiveness in Patients on Long-Term Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Factors contributing to erythropoietin (EPO) hyporesponsiveness in patients on long-term continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis are not well understood. Therefore, we investigated the factors contributing to EPO hyporesponsiveness using the EPO resistance index (ERI). METHODS: A total of 14 patients (7 males and 7 females, age 65.0 ± 11.9 years) were selected for this study. We defined ERI as the weekly dose of EPO per body weight divided by hemoglobin (U/kg/g/dl/week). Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to assess the patients' body composition and fluid status. We examined associations between ERI and clinical parameters, such as physiological, chemical and nutrition status, by correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Peritoneal dialysis duration was 95 ± 23 months, and all patients underwent peritoneal dialysis for >5 years. Hemoglobin, blood pressure and ultrafiltration volume of peritoneal dialysis were 11.5 ± 1.2 g/dl, 123 ± 14/72 ± 8 mm Hg and 834 ± 317 ml/day, respectively. Renal Kt/V and peritoneal Kt/V, which are indices of dialysis adequacy, were 0.32 ± 0.31 and 1.70 ± 0.31, respectively. Age and extracellular water/total body water (ECW/TBW) ratio had significant positive correlations with ERI (both p < 0.05). Levels of C-reactive protein, serum albumin, parathyroid hormone and normalized protein catabolic rate were not significantly correlated with ERI. In a multiple regression analysis, ECW/TBW was independently associated with ERI (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that ECW/TBW was a factor contributing to ERI and that appropriate maintenance of body fluid volume could contribute to low EPO dosing.