Chronologic trends in platelet count in the HCV-negative HD patients after the start of HD therapy.

Values plotted for each year are the means of 24 measurements (twice a month) during that year. The platelet counts were reviewed for 8 to 21 years in the 22 HCV-negative HD patients. All data are expressed as percentages of the initial platelet counts. (A) Individual changes in platelet counts between the beginning of HD treatment and the present. Platelet counts decreased throughout the years on HD in 77.3% (17 of 22) of patients. (B) Annual trends in platelet counts over 18 years on HD in the 4 HCV-negative HD patients with the same number of years on HD treatment. Patients 1 and 3 are women. At approximately the middle of the HD years in patients 2, 3, and 4, rhEPO replacement therapy was begun. Arrows indicate the start of rhEPO therapy.