Healthy Skepticism Library item: 11428

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Publication type: Journal Article

Hébert PC, Stanbrook M.
Indication creep: physician beware
CMAJ 2007 Sep 6; epub ahead of print
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/rapidpdf/cmaj.071223

Abstract:

This issue of CMAJ features a systematic review (page 725) of the use in critically ill patients of erythropoietin, a drug that is widely promoted without an approved indication in this patient population.1 Erythropoietin, a complex recombinant glycoprotein hormone, is approved for the treatment of anemia in patients on dialysis, in patients who have had major surgery or in patients undergoing cancer care. The systematic review highlights the finding that when this treatment, which costs about $400 per dose, is used offlabel for critically ill patients, it will save, on average, less than 1 unit of blood, will not improve clinical outcomes and will potentially result in more thrombotic complications…

Notes:

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