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American Family Physician Oct 2018Anemia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in older adults. Diagnostic cutoff values for defining anemia vary with age, sex, and possibly race. Anemia... (Review)
Review
Anemia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in older adults. Diagnostic cutoff values for defining anemia vary with age, sex, and possibly race. Anemia is often asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on laboratory testing. Patients may present with symptoms related to associated conditions, such as blood loss, or related to decreased oxygen-carrying capacity, such as weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Causes of anemia in older adults include nutritional deficiency, chronic kidney disease, chronic inflammation, and occult blood loss from gastrointestinal malignancy, although in many patients the etiology is unknown. The evaluation includes a detailed history and physical examination, assessment of risk factors for underlying conditions, and assessment of mean corpuscular volume. A serum ferritin level should be obtained for patients with normocytic or microcytic anemia. A low serum ferritin level in a patient with normocytic or microcytic anemia is associated with iron deficiency anemia. In older patients with suspected iron deficiency anemia, endoscopy is warranted to evaluate for gastrointestinal malignancy. Patients with an elevated serum ferritin level or macrocytic anemia should be evaluated for underlying conditions, including vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, myelodysplastic syndrome, and malignancy. Treatment is directed at the underlying cause. Symptomatic patients with serum hemoglobin levels of 8 g per dL or less may require blood transfusion. Patients with suspected iron deficiency anemia should be given a trial of oral iron replacement. Lower-dose formulations may be as effective and have a lower risk of adverse effects. Normalization of hemoglobin typically occurs by eight weeks after treatment in most patients. Parenteral iron infusion is reserved for patients who have not responded to or cannot tolerate oral iron therapy.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anemia; Female; Ferrous Compounds; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Physical Examination
PubMed: 30252420
DOI: No ID Found -
Gynecological Endocrinology : the... Jul 2016Pregnancy represents a challenge from a nutritional perspective, because micronutrient intake during the periconceptional period and in pregnancy affects fetal organ... (Review)
Review
Pregnancy represents a challenge from a nutritional perspective, because micronutrient intake during the periconceptional period and in pregnancy affects fetal organ development and the mother's health. Inappropriate diet/nutrition in pregnancy can lead to numerous deficiencies including iron deficiency and may impair placental function and play a role in miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, and preeclampsia. This article reviews the risks associated with nutrient deficiencies in pregnant women and presents an overview of recommendations for dietary supplementation in pregnancy, focusing on oral iron supplementation. Risk factor detection, including dietary patterns and comorbidities, is paramount in optimal pregnancy management. Dietary habits, which can lead to deficiencies (e.g., iron, folate, vitamin D, and calcium) and result in negative health consequences for the mother and fetus/newborn, need to be investigated. Prenatal care should be personalized, accounting for ethnicity, culture, education, information level about pregnancy, and dietary and physical habits. Clinicians should make a plan for appropriate supplementation and prophylaxis/treatment of nutritional and other needs, and consider adequate intake of calcium, iodine, vitamin D, folate, and iron. Among the available oral iron supplements, prolonged-released ferrous sulfate (ferrous sulfate-polymeric complex) presents the lowest incidence of overall and gastrointestinal adverse events, with positive implications for compliance.
Topics: Deficiency Diseases; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications
PubMed: 26956254
DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2016.1149161 -
PloS One 2015The tolerability of oral iron supplementation for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia is disputed. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The tolerability of oral iron supplementation for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia is disputed.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to quantify the odds of GI side-effects in adults related to current gold standard oral iron therapy, namely ferrous sulfate.
METHODS
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating GI side-effects that included ferrous sulfate and a comparator that was either placebo or intravenous (i.v.) iron. Random effects meta-analysis modelling was undertaken and study heterogeneity was summarised using I2 statistics.
RESULTS
Forty three trials comprising 6831 adult participants were included. Twenty trials (n = 3168) had a placebo arm and twenty three trials (n = 3663) had an active comparator arm of i.v. iron. Ferrous sulfate supplementation significantly increased risk of GI side-effects versus placebo with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.32 [95% CI 1.74-3.08, p<0.0001, I2 = 53.6%] and versus i.v. iron with an OR of 3.05 [95% CI 2.07-4.48, p<0.0001, I2 = 41.6%]. Subgroup analysis in IBD patients showed a similar effect versus i.v. iron (OR = 3.14, 95% CI 1.34-7.36, p = 0.008, I2 = 0%). Likewise, subgroup analysis of pooled data from 7 RCTs in pregnant women (n = 1028) showed a statistically significant increased risk of GI side-effects for ferrous sulfate although there was marked heterogeneity in the data (OR = 3.33, 95% CI 1.19-9.28, p = 0.02, I2 = 66.1%). Meta-regression did not provide significant evidence of an association between the study OR and the iron dose.
CONCLUSIONS
Our meta-analysis confirms that ferrous sulfate is associated with a significant increase in gastrointestinal-specific side-effects but does not find a relationship with dose.
Topics: Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Clinical Trials as Topic; Databases, Factual; Dietary Supplements; Ferrous Compounds; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Odds Ratio; Placebo Effect
PubMed: 25700159
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117383 -
American Journal of Hematology Jan 2016It is estimated that one-third of the world's population is anemic, the majority being due to iron deficiency (ID). In adults, ID is associated with fatigue in the... (Review)
Review
It is estimated that one-third of the world's population is anemic, the majority being due to iron deficiency (ID). In adults, ID is associated with fatigue in the absence of anemia, restless legs syndrome, pica and, in neonates, delayed growth and development. In adolescents, ID is associated with decrements in learning and behavioral abnormalities. In the absence of a clear cause, search for a source of bleeding is indicated. No single test is diagnostic of ID unless the serum ferritin is low or the percent transferrin saturation is low with an elevated total iron binding capacity. Oral iron is considered front line therapy except for conditions such as gastric bypass, heavy uterine bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Oral iron has many unpleasant side effects, resulting in low patient adherence. For patients intolerant of, or unresponsive to, oral iron, intravenous (IV) administration is the preferred route. While early formulations were associated with a high incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs), newer formulations are much safer with SAEs occurring very infrequently. Full replacement doses can be administered in a matter of minutes to a few hours. Nevertheless, there remains a reluctance to use IV iron due to a misunderstanding of the safety of the available formulations. IV iron is safe and effective in all clinical circumstances including pregnancy. The preponderance of published evidence suggests IV iron therapy is underutilized and we believe that IV iron should be moved forward in the treatment of ID and iron deficiency anemia (IDA).
Topics: Administration, Oral; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Ferritins; Ferrosoferric Oxide; Ferrous Compounds; Hematinics; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Iron-Dextran Complex
PubMed: 26408108
DOI: 10.1002/ajh.24201 -
JACC. Heart Failure Jan 2019Iron deficiency is an extremely common comorbidity in patients with heart failure, affecting up to 50% of all ambulatory patients. It is associated with reduced exercise... (Review)
Review
Iron deficiency is an extremely common comorbidity in patients with heart failure, affecting up to 50% of all ambulatory patients. It is associated with reduced exercise capacity and physical well-being and reduced quality of life. Cutoff values have been identified for diagnosing iron deficiency in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction as serum ferritin, <100 μg/l, or ferritin, 100 to 300 μg/l, with transferrin saturation of <20%. Oral iron products have been shown to have little efficacy in heart failure, where the preference is intravenous iron products. Most clinical studies have been performed using ferric carboxymaltose with good efficacy in terms of improvements in 6-min walk test distance, peak oxygen consumption, quality of life, and improvements in New York Heart Association functional class. Data from meta-analyses also suggest beneficial effects for hospitalization rates for heart failure and reduction in cardiovascular mortality rates. A prospective trial to investigate effects on morbidity and mortality is currently ongoing. This paper highlights current knowledge of the pathophysiology of iron deficiency in heart failure, its prevalence and clinical impact, and its possible treatment options.
Topics: Administration, Intravenous; Administration, Oral; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Cardiovascular Diseases; Comorbidity; Ferric Compounds; Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; Ferritins; Ferrous Compounds; Heart Failure; Hematinics; Hemoglobins; Hospitalization; Humans; Maltose; Oxygen Consumption; Prevalence; Quality of Life; Stroke Volume; Transferrin; Walk Test
PubMed: 30553903
DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2018.07.015 -
Pediatric Research Sep 2022Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is common in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, oral iron supplements are commonly associated with poor compliance due... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is common in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, oral iron supplements are commonly associated with poor compliance due to gastrointestinal side effects. We compared the effect of lactoferrin versus oral ferrous sulfate for the treatment of IDA in children with IBD.
METHODS
Ninety-two IBD children with IDA were included but only 80 children completed the study and they were randomized into two groups: ferrous sulfate group (n = 40) who received ferrous sulfate 6 mg/kg/day for 3 months and lactoferrin group (n = 40) who received lactoferrin 100 mg/day for 3 months. Complete blood count, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation (TS), serum ferritin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and hepcidin 25 were measured before and after the treatment.
RESULTS
Hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume, serum iron, TS, and serum ferritin significantly increased, while TIBC decreased significantly after the administration of either ferrous sulfate or lactoferrin compared to their baseline data. In addition, lactoferrin significantly increased Hb, serum iron, TS, and serum ferritin compared to ferrous sulfate. Moreover, lactoferrin significantly decreased IL-6 and hepcidin levels.
CONCLUSION
Lactoferrin is a promising effective treatment with fewer side effects than oral elemental iron in children with IBD and IDA.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
The study was registered at www.pactr.org (PACTR202002763901803).
IMPACT
Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is treated with oral iron therapy; however, oral iron supplements are commonly associated with poor compliance due to gastrointestinal side effects. To the best of our knowledge, our study was the first in pediatrics that compared the effect of lactoferrin versus oral ferrous sulfate as an iron supplement for the treatment of IDA in children with IBD. We found that lactoferrin is a promising effective treatment with fewer side effects than oral elemental iron in children with IBD and IDA.
Topics: Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Child; Chronic Disease; Female; Ferritins; Ferrous Compounds; Hemoglobins; Hepcidins; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Interleukin-6; Iron; Lactoferrin; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic
PubMed: 35681097
DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02136-2 -
JAMA Jun 2017Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) affects millions of persons worldwide, and is associated with impaired neurodevelopment in infants and children. Ferrous sulfate is the most... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Low-Dose Ferrous Sulfate vs Iron Polysaccharide Complex on Hemoglobin Concentration in Young Children With Nutritional Iron-Deficiency Anemia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
IMPORTANCE
Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) affects millions of persons worldwide, and is associated with impaired neurodevelopment in infants and children. Ferrous sulfate is the most commonly prescribed oral iron despite iron polysaccharide complex possibly being better tolerated.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of ferrous sulfate with iron polysaccharide complex on hemoglobin concentration in infants and children with nutritional IDA.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Double-blind, superiority randomized clinical trial of infants and children aged 9 to 48 months with nutritional IDA (assessed by history and laboratory criteria) that was conducted in an outpatient hematology clinic at a US tertiary care hospital from September 2013 through November 2015; 12-week follow-up ended in January 2016.
INTERVENTIONS
Three mg/kg of elemental iron once daily as either ferrous sulfate drops or iron polysaccharide complex drops for 12 weeks.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Primary outcome was change in hemoglobin over 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included complete resolution of IDA (defined as hemoglobin concentration >11 g/dL, mean corpuscular volume >70 fL, reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent >25 pg, serum ferritin level >15 ng/mL, and total iron-binding capacity <425 μg/dL at the 12-week visit), changes in serum ferritin level and total iron-binding capacity, adverse effects.
RESULTS
Of 80 randomized infants and children (median age, 22 months; 55% male; 61% Hispanic white; 40 per group), 59 completed the trial (28 [70%] in ferrous sulfate group; 31 [78%] in iron polysaccharide complex group). From baseline to 12 weeks, mean hemoglobin increased from 7.9 to 11.9 g/dL (ferrous sulfate group) vs 7.7 to 11.1 g/dL (iron complex group), a greater difference of 1.0 g/dL (95% CI, 0.4 to 1.6 g/dL; P < .001) with ferrous sulfate (based on a linear mixed model). Proportion with a complete resolution of IDA was higher in the ferrous sulfate group (29% vs 6%; P = .04). Median serum ferritin level increased from 3.0 to 15.6 ng/mL (ferrous sulfate) vs 2.0 to 7.5 ng/mL (iron complex) over 12 weeks, a greater difference of 10.2 ng/mL (95% CI, 6.2 to 14.1 ng/mL; P < .001) with ferrous sulfate. Mean total iron-binding capacity decreased from 501 to 389 μg/dL (ferrous sulfate) vs 506 to 417 μg/dL (iron complex) (a greater difference of -50 μg/dL [95% CI, -86 to -14 μg/dL] with ferrous sulfate; P < .001). There were more reports of diarrhea in the iron complex group than in the ferrous sulfate group (58% vs 35%, respectively; P = .04).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Among infants and children aged 9 to 48 months with nutritional iron-deficiency anemia, ferrous sulfate compared with iron polysaccharide complex resulted in a greater increase in hemoglobin concentration at 12 weeks. Once daily, low-dose ferrous sulfate should be considered for children with nutritional iron-deficiency anemia.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01904864.
Topics: Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Child Nutrition Disorders; Child, Preschool; Double-Blind Method; Female; Ferritins; Ferrous Compounds; Hemoglobin A; Humans; Infant; Iron; Iron Compounds; Lost to Follow-Up; Male; Medication Adherence; Polysaccharides; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28609534
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2017.6846 -
The Lancet. Haematology Jul 2021Numerous iron preparations are available for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. We aimed to provide a summary of the effectiveness and safety of iron... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Numerous iron preparations are available for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. We aimed to provide a summary of the effectiveness and safety of iron preparations used in this setting.
METHODS
We did a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised trials. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, trial registers, and grey literature for trials published in any language from Jan 1, 2011, to Feb 28, 2021. We included trials including pregnant women with iron deficiency anaemia and evaluating iron preparations, irrespective of administration route, with at least 60 mg of elemental iron, in comparison with another iron or non-iron preparation. Three authors independently selected studies, extracted data, and did a risk of bias assessment using the Cochrane tool (version 1.0). The primary outcome was the effectiveness of iron preparations, evaluated by changes in haemoglobin concentration at 4 weeks from baseline. The secondary outcomes were change in serum ferritin concentration at 4 weeks from baseline and treatment-related severe and non-severe adverse events. We did random-effects pairwise and network meta-analyses. Side-effects were reported descriptively for each trial. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42018100822.
FINDINGS
Among 3037 records screened, 128 full-text articles were further assessed for eligibility. Of the 53 eligible trials (reporting on 9145 women), 30 (15 interventions; 3243 women) contributed data to the network meta-analysis for haemoglobin and 15 (nine interventions; 1396 women) for serum ferritin. The risk of bias varied across the trials contributing to network meta-analysis, with 22 of 30 trials in the network meta-analysis for haemoglobin judged to have a high or medium global risk of bias. Compared with oral ferrous sulfate, intravenous iron sucrose improved both haemoglobin (mean difference 7·17 g/L, 95% CI 2·62-11·73; seven trials) and serum ferritin (mean difference 49·66 μg/L, 13·63-85·69; four trials), and intravenous ferric carboxymaltose improved haemoglobin (mean difference 8·52 g/L, 0·51-16·53; one trial). The evidence for other interventions compared with ferrous sulfate was insufficient. The most common side-effects with oral iron preparations were gastrointestinal effects (nausea, vomiting, and altered bowel movements). Side-effects were less common with parenteral iron preparations, although these included local pain, skin irratation, and, on rare occasions, allergic reactions.
INTERPRETATION
Iron preparations for treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy vary in effectiveness, with good evidence of benefit for intravenous iron sucrose and some evidence for intravenous ferric carboxymaltose. Clinicians and policy makers should consider the effectiveness of individual preparations before administration, to ensure effective treatment.
FUNDING
None.
Topics: Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Female; Ferric Compounds; Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; Ferritins; Ferrous Compounds; Hemoglobins; Humans; Maltose; Nausea; Pregnancy
PubMed: 34171281
DOI: 10.1016/S2352-3026(21)00137-X -
Journal of Perinatal Medicine May 2017To compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) with first-line oral ferrous sulfate (FS) in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) with first-line oral ferrous sulfate (FS) in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia (IDA).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Pregnant women (n=252; gestational weeks 16-33) with IDA were randomized 1:1 to FCM (1000-1500 mg iron) or FS (200 mg iron/day) for 12 weeks. The primary objective was to compare efficacy; secondary objectives included safety and quality of life.
RESULTS
Hemoglobin (Hb) levels improved at comparable rates across both treatments; however, significantly more women achieved anemia correction with FCM vs. FS [Hb ≥11.0 g/dL; 84% vs. 70%; odds ratio (OR): 2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07, 3.97; P=0.031] and within a shorter time frame (median 3.4 vs. 4.3 weeks). FCM treatment significantly improved vitality (P=0.025) and social functioning (P=0.049) prior to delivery. Treatment-related adverse events were experienced by 14 (FCM; 11%) and 19 (FS; 15%) women, with markedly higher rates of gastrointestinal disorders reported with FS (16 women) than with FCM (3 women). Newborn characteristics were similar across treatments.
CONCLUSIONS
During late-stage pregnancy, FCM may be a more appropriate option than first-line oral iron for rapid and effective anemia correction, with additional benefits for vitality and social functioning.
Topics: Administration, Intravenous; Administration, Oral; Adult; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Female; Ferric Compounds; Ferrous Compounds; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Maltose; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; Quality of Life; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 27278921
DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2016-0050