Switching patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease from oral iron to intravenous ferric carboxymaltose: effects on erythropoiesis-stimulating agent requirements, costs, hemoglobin and iron status.
Study Goal
The study aimed to evaluate whether switching from oral iron to intravenous ferric carboxymaltose could reduce ESA requirements and improve iron status and hemoglobin in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD).
Results Summary
The study found that switching to intravenous ferric carboxymaltose significantly reduced ESA consumption by 83.2%, increased hemoglobin by 0.7 g/dL, and improved iron parameters (ferritin and transferrin saturation) without reported adverse events.
Population
Adult patients with ND-CKD (creatinine clearance ≤40 mL/min), hemoglobin 11-12 g/dL, and iron deficiency (ferritin <100 μg/L or transferrin saturation <20%).
Effective Dosage
1,000 mg iron (initial dose), followed by a 6-month maintenance regimen.
Duration
6 months
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
switch from oral iron to intravenous ferric carboxymaltose | decrease | ESA requirements | patients with ND-CKD | - | can reduce | #1 |
switch from oral iron to intravenous ferric carboxymaltose | increase | iron status | patients with ND-CKD | - | improve | #2 |
switch from oral iron to intravenous ferric carboxymaltose | increase | hemoglobin | patients with ND-CKD | - | improve | #3 |
intravenous ferric carboxymaltose | decrease | Mean ESA consumption | patients with ND-CKD | 83.2±10.9% | was significantly reduced | #4 |
intravenous ferric carboxymaltose | increase | Hemoglobin | patients with ND-CKD | 0.7±0.3 g/dL | increased | #5 |
intravenous ferric carboxymaltose | increase | ferritin | patients with ND-CKD | 196.0±38.7 μg/L | increased | #6 |
intravenous ferric carboxymaltose | increase | transferrin saturation | patients with ND-CKD | 5.3±2.9% | increased | #7 |
ferric carboxymaltose | no change | adverse events | patients with ND-CKD | no ferric carboxymaltose-related adverse events were reported | No | #8 |
ferric carboxymaltose | no change | transfusions | patients with ND-CKD | no patient required transfusions | no patient required | #9 |
switching from oral iron to intravenous ferric carboxymaltose | increase | hematological and iron parameters | patients with ND-CKD and stable normal or borderline hemoglobin | - | was associated with significant improvements | #10 |
switching from oral iron to intravenous ferric carboxymaltose | decrease | ESA dose requirements | patients with ND-CKD and stable normal or borderline hemoglobin | - | a significant reduction | #11 |
BACKGROUND: Patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) often receive an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) and oral iron treatment. This study evaluated whether a switch from oral iron to intravenous ferric carboxymaltose can reduce ESA requirements and improve iron status and hemoglobin in patients with ND-CKD. METHODS: This prospective, single arm and single-center study included adult patients with ND-CKD (creatinine clearance ≤40 mL/min), hemoglobin 11-12 g/dL and iron deficiency (ferritin <100 μg/L or transferrin saturation <20%), who were regularly treated with oral iron and ESA during 6 months prior to inclusion. Study patients received an intravenous ferric carboxymaltose dose of 1,000 mg iron, followed by a 6-months ESA/ ferric carboxymaltose maintenance regimen (target: hemoglobin 12 g/dL, transferrin saturation >20%). Outcome measures were ESA dose requirements during the observation period after initial ferric carboxymaltose treatment (primary endpoint); number of hospitalizations and transfusions, renal function before and after ferric carboxymaltose administration, number of adverse reactions (secondary endpoints). Hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, ferritin and transferrin saturation were measured monthly from baseline until end of study. Creatinine clearance, proteinuria, C-reactive protein, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase bimonthly from baseline until end of study. RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled (age 70.1±11.4 years; mean±SD). Mean ESA consumption was significantly reduced by 83.2±10.9% (from 41,839±3,668 IU/patient to 6,879±4,271 IU/patient; p<0.01). Hemoglobin increased by 0.7±0.3 g/dL, ferritin by 196.0±38.7 μg/L and transferrin saturation by 5.3±2.9% (month 6 vs. baseline; all p<0.01). No ferric carboxymaltose-related adverse events were reported and no patient withdrew or required transfusions during the study. CONCLUSION: Among patients with ND-CKD and stable normal or borderline hemoglobin, switching from oral iron to intravenous ferric carboxymaltose was associated with significant improvements in hematological and iron parameters and a significant reduction in ESA dose requirements in this single-center pilot study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02232906.