Taking all these data into consideration, our study was aimed to test the hypothesis that administration of omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) in maintenance HD patients actually improve systemic inflammation and anemia, and might be useful for reducing serum hepcidin level and consequently required dose of IV iron and EPO. This evidence concerns the gene EPO and anemia (phenotype).