Comparing high-dose and low-dose intravenous iron therapy in hemodialysis patients in Benha city, Egypt

Abstract

Background Since the introduction of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents for the management of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), intravenous (i.v.) iron has been universally used, especially with hemodialysis (HD) patients, as their average daily losses of iron typically exceed the oral absorption of iron. The maintenance i.v. iron regimens vary widely between countries and even among HD centers of the same country. Aim The aim of this study was to find out if high-dose i.v. iron will be superior to low-dose i.v. iron for treating anemia in HD patients. Patients and methods This study was carried out at HD units of Benha University Hospitals and Benha Teaching Hospital from March 2019 till September 2019. It was carried out on 100 patients with CKD stage V on HD, who were subdivided into two groups. Group Ι: 50 patients with CKD stage V on HD who were eligible for low-dose i.v. iron therapy. Group П: 50 patients with CKD stage V on HD who were eligible for high-dose i.v. iron therapy. Results There was an improvement of hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation after treatment with low-dose and high-dose iron therapy. However, the high-dose iron therapy was associated with a high statistically significant improvement compared with low-dose iron therapy. Conclusion High-dose i.v. iron was superior to low-dose i.v. iron for treating anemia in HD patients.