Erythropoiesis in the Anaemia of Chronic Renal Failure: The Response to CAPD

Fifteen patients with chronic renal failure commencing CAPDtreatment were studied by a sensitive ferrokinetic technique.All were severely anaemic with a low red cell volume (RCV).Plasma volume (PV) was raised in twelve. Mean red cell lifespan(MRCL) was reduced in eleven subjects, and marrow iron turnover(MIT) was inappropriately low but this was not related to erythropoietinlevels. Six patients were restudied after several months CAPD. PV fellin four and RCV increased in all six. MRCL rose to normal inthree. The other three subjects had an increase in MIT. Erythropoietinlevels did not change significantly. The major cause of uraemicanaemia is a failure of erythropoiesis to match fully the demandsof red cell destruction.