Abstract
Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) is an intravenous iron formulation to correct iron deficiency. Although its use has been extensively studied in clinical trials, real-world evidence regarding FCM treatment is scarce. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of FCM treatment in patients with iron deficiency, with or without anemia, at a hospital outpatient clinic. Data was collected retrospectively from medical records. During this 2-year study, 459 patients were included. Mean age was 58.6 ± 17.5 years and most patients received cumulative FCM doses of 501–1000 mg (63.2%). Six weeks after administration of FCM, efficacy endpoints hemoglobin increase ≥2 g/dL, hemoglobin increase ≥3 g/dL, and transferrin saturation > 20% were attained by 41%, 20%, and 63% of patients, respectively. Patients who received higher FCM doses showed significant reduced odds of not achieving hemoglobin increase ≥2 g/dL (501–1000 mg, adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18–0.62; 1001–3000 mg, OR: 0.19, 95% CI 0.07–0.49), compared to 500 mg doses. Treatment-emergent adverse events were documented in <4% of patients. In conclusion, FCM treatment was effective and well-tolerated by outpatients with iron deficiency at a hospital clinic, and its dosage should be adjusted to improve iron deficiency management in clinical practice.
Highlights
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide
A total of 459 patients who received intravenous Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) treatment were included in the study
Anemia was recorded in 82.4% of patients, iron deficiency was recorded in 98% of patients, and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was recorded in 81.3% of patients
Summary
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. It has been estimated to affect at least 30–40% of preschool children and pregnant women and about one-sixth of the total population in developed countries [1,2,3]. Iron deficiency is frequently associated with fatigue, susceptibility to infections, and poorer work capacity and quality of life and is a major cause for anemia in both developing and developed countries [1, 2]. Comorbidity of iron deficiency and anemia with other diseases have been described to increase the risk of morbidity and mortality [2, 4]. Functional iron deficiency may be caused by chronic inflammation, associated with several conditions such as renal failure, congestive heart failure, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, or autoimmune conditions, which contributes to the onset of the anemia of chronic diseases [7, 8]
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