Treatment of anemia in inflammatory bowel disease with recombinant human erythropoietin: results in three patients.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often associated with anemia. Of 85 patients with IBD, 28 were anemic and had an inadequately low plasma erythropoietin (EPO) concentration. Three patients with a long-standing history of IBD and refractory chronic anemia (hemoglobin values < 10 g/dL, plasma EPO concentrations below 100 mU/mL) were treated with recombinant human EPO, which was administered subcutaneously three times per week at a dose of 200-300 U/kg of body weight. Bone marrow biopsy specimens taken before therapy showed slightly decreased erythropoiesis with a shift of erythroid precursors toward more immature stages. EPO treatment resulted in a marked increase in hemoglobin values in all 3 patients. Bone marrow biopsies after EPO therapy showed quantitatively and qualitatively normal erythropoiesis in all of them. Correction of anemia was followed by improved well-being, and all patients were able to cope much better with their IBD. In all three patients, there was an increase in body weight and their Karnofsky index improved. After a complete workup and exclusion of any other cause for anemia, erythropoietin treatment, although expensive, should be considered in patients with IBD and refractory anemia.