Effect of erythropoietin on quality of life and hospitalization time in patients with chronic heart failure

AIM:To observe the effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on the quality of life and hospitalization time in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS: Eighty CHF patients were randomly equally divided into two groups: 40 patients in the control group treated with standard CHF medications and 40 patients in the EPO group treated with standard CHF medications plus EPO. The Minnesota Heart Failure Quality of Life Scale was measured before and after treatment and hospitalization days and rates of rehospitalization were compared between groups. RESULTS: After treatment, improvement of the Minnesota Heart Failure Quality of Life Scale in EPO group was higher than in control group (P<005) and days of hospitalization and rate of rehospitalization in EPO group were lower than those in control group (all P<005). CONCLUSION: Treatment with EPO can improve quality of life and reduce hospitalization days and rehospitalization rate in CHF patients.