EVIDENCE-BASED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CLINICAL USE OF RECOMBINANT-HUMAN-ERYTHROPOIETIN

In an era of increasing scrutiny regarding use of health care resource s, it is critical that physicians have rational, evidence-based guidel ines for treatment decisions. This review of more than 200 published p apers constitutes a comprehensive approach to evaluating the current e vidence regarding the clinical use of recombinant human erythropoietin therapy in renal failure patients. After this review, specific recomm endations are provided regarding who should receive r-HuEPO; what the target hemoglobin should be; the best route of administration of r-HuE PO; how iron status should be evaluated and managed; and monitoring an d follow-up of patients taking r-HuEPO, Throughout the article, areas for important future research are also identified. (C) 1995 by the Nat ional Kidney Foundation, Inc.