Erythropoietin is an effective clinical modality for reducing RBC transfusion in joint surgery (Le traitement à l'érythropoïétine réduit efficacement les transfusions de culots globulaires en chirurgie orthopédique)

tions (20,000 IU for those # 70 kg, and 40,000 IU for those > 70 kg) every three to seven days before surgery. Since treatment was not randomly assigned, multivariable logistic regression analysis and propensity score case-control matching were used to adjust for baseline differences in patient demographics and perioperative risk factors for RBC transfusion. The adjusted relationship between PET and RBC transfusion was then determined. Results: Of the 1,782 patients that underwent TJA during the study period, 770 (47.9%) had a Hb < 130 g·L –1 . Of these patients, 214 received PET and their RBC transfusion rate was 16.4%, whereas the transfusion rate was 56.1% in those who did not receive PET (P < 0.0001). The adjusted odds ratio of RBC transfusion with PET was 0.33 (95% confidence interval = 0.21–0.49).