GENETIC PREDISPOSITION TO HYPERTENSION FACILITATES BLOOD-PRESSURE ELEVATION IN HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS TREATED WITH ERYTHROPOIETIN

PURPOSE: This study investigated the hypothesis that a genetic predisp osition to hypertension is involved in the etiology of the elevation i n blood pressure induced by human recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEPO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood pressure changes after 10 weeks of treatm ent with rHuEPO were compared between 26 patients with a positive fami ly history of hypertension and 27 with a negative family history. RESU LTS: Mean blood pressure was significantly increased in patients with a positive family history of hypertension (+8.8 mm Hg, p < 0.001). In contrast, the change was not significant in those whose family history was negative (+1.8 mm Hg, not significant). The mean blood pressure o f 14 of 26 patients with a positive family history of hypertension inc reased by more than 10%, whereas such an increase occurred in only 2 o f 27 patients with a negative family history (p < 0.001). The two grou ps were similar in terms of the total dose of rHuEPO given, the degree to which their anemia improved, and their basal blood pressures. CONC LUSION: It appears that hemodialysis patients with a positive family h istory of hypertension are susceptible to developing hypertension duri ng treatment with rHuEPO.