Case management of the anemic patient. Epoetin alfa: focus on inflammation and infection

Nursing management of anemic dialysis patients requires a thorough understanding of the conditions that can potentially affect erythropoiesis. Erythropoietin deficiency has been documented as the primary cause of the anemia of uremia, and Epoetin alfa has proven to be an effective therapy for correcting this condition. However, other etiologies, independent of the uremic process, can also contribute to anemia in these patients and lead to a diminished response to Epoetin alfa. Iron deficiency and blood loss, for example, are well-documented etiologies that can hinder erythropoiesis and diminish the response to Epoetin alfa (Van Wyck, 1989). Another etiology still under investigation is the potential effect of infection or inflammation on the response to Epoetin alfa. This article examines the anemia of infection and inflammation and the potential effect on response to Epoetin alfa.