Recombinant human erythropoietin for treating severe traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of recombinant human erythropoietin (RHE) for the treatment of severe traumatic brain injury (STBI). METHODS: One hundred and twenty eligible patients with STBI were randomly divided into an intervention group or a control group equally. Patients in the intervention group received RHE. The participants in the control group received 0.9% saline. The outcome measurements included the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores, mortality, and any adverse events. RESULTS: At the end of 10-week follow-up after treatment, RHE neither showed greater efficacy in GOS scores (1-2, P = .43; 3-4, P = .25; 5-6, P = .58; 7-8, P = .23), nor the lower mortality in the intervention group than those in the control group (P = .47). In addition, both groups had similar safety profile. CONCLUSION: This study found that RHE did not improve the neurological outcomes in patients with STBI.