Table 5 Blood analysis before and after rhEPO administration
|  | Control n = 948 | rhEPO n = 950 | Difference (95% CI) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Before rhEPO administration | ||||
RBC count (× 1012/L), | 4.0 ± 0.8 | 3.9 ± 0.6 | 0.06 (0.00–0.12) | 0.065 |
 Hemoglobin (g/l) | 139.5 ± 29.1 | 140.8 ± 27.6 | 1.30 (− 1.25–3.85) | 0.318 |
 Hematocrit (%), | 42.3 ± 8.8 | 42.7 ± 8.4 | 0.40 (− 0.37–1.17) | 0.311 |
 Platelet (109/L | 239.1 ± 114.2 | 246.1 ± 108.4 | 7.00 (− 3.02–17.02) | 0.171 |
After rhEPO administration | ||||
 RBC count (1012/L) | 3.0 ± 0.5 | 3.3 ± 0.5 | 0.30 (0.25–0.35) |  < 0.001 |
 Hemoglobin (g/l), | 98.2 ± 18.3 | 106.3 ± 23.6 | 8.10 (6.20–10.00) |  < 0.001 |
 Hematocrit (%) | 29.8 ± 5.5 | 32.2 ± 7.1 | 2.40 (1.83–2.97) |  < 0.001 |
 Platelet (109/L) | 265.3 ± 124.1 | 268.8 ± 109.7 | 3.50 (-7.04–14.04) | 0.515 |
 Transfusions | 1.8 ± 1.9 | 1.5 ± 1.7 | 0.302 (0.181–0.424) |  < 0.001 |