Absolute Iron Deficiency Research Articles

Ferritin and Prognosis in Elderly Patients with Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) and anaemia are frequent in Heart Failure (HF) patients, but there are few data about its prevalence and prognosis in elderly HF patients with preserved ejection fraction (HF-PEF). Aim: The aim of this study is to ascertain if ID alone or associated with anaemia is related to negative clinical outcomes in elderly patients with HF-PEF. Design/Methods: 139 consecutive patients discharged from our Internal Medicine Department with a diagnosis of HF-PEF from June 2011 to June 2014 were followed up until June 2015. All demographic and clinical data, echocardiography, biochemical parameters, treatment at discharge, new hospital admissions and death were registered in a specific database. Results: Mean age was 79.1 years (SD 8.3 years), and 94 (67.6%) were women. Anaemia was present in 85 (61%), any iron deficiency in 92 (67%) and absolute iron deficiency in 67 (48%) of these patients. 33 patients (23%) died during a mean follow-up of 649 days. Increased mortality was related to age, previous hospital admissions, lower albumin level, lower Barthel score, and higher ferritin level. Using a composite endpoint of HF readmission or death during first year after index admission, 54 patients (38.8%) had this negative outcome. Lower Barthel Score and albumin values, higher NT pro-BNP and ferritin level, and absence of iron deficiency, were related to this negative outcome. Conclusion: Anaemia and Iron Deficiency are usual findings in our elderly HF-PEF patients, but only a high level of serum ferritin was associated with worse outcomes in this setting.

Prevalence of iron deficiency among patients with chronic heart failure attending Rizgary and Hawler teaching hospitals in Erbil City

Background and objectives: Iron deficiency is an emerging problem in patients with chronic heart failure and could be a potential therapeutic target. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, severity, and type of iron deficiency among patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: This study was conducted in Rizgary and Hawler teaching hospitals in Erbil from April 2015 to January 2016. A total of 60 patients with heart failure for more than six months with an ejection fraction less than 55% were enrolled. These patients were evaluated for iron status and hematological indices. Results: The prevalence of iron deficiency was 76.7% with 52 %of them having severe iron deficiency. Absolute iron deficiency was detected in 41% of patients. The prevalence of anemia was 41.7%. There was a significant difference between those with chronic heart failure with iron deficiency and those with no iron deficiency in the hemoglobin (P = 0.001), mean cell volume (P = 0.001), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (P = 0.002), serum iron (P <0.001) and transferrin saturation (P <0.001). Conclusion: Iron deficiency is common in chronic heart failure. It is the most common cause of anemia in such patients. Serum ferritin alone was not a reliable marker of iron deficiency in such patients.

Changes of hematological indices among patients with chronic heart failure with low ejection fraction of the left ventricle with comorbid iron deficiency

Objective is to determine changes in hematological indices with a view to erythrocytic parameters depending on the type and degree of iron deficiency among patients with chronic heart failure with low ejection fraction of the left ventricle. Material and methods. The main clinical area of the study was 122 patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) of the II–III functional class (FC) by NYHA hypertensive in combination with ischemic etiology with low ejection fraction (low EF) of the left ventricle (LV) and comorbid iron metabolism disorder. Among these patients there were 60 patients with latent iron deficiency (ID) and 62 patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). The comparison group consisted of 30 patients with CHF low EF without ID. All patients underwent laboratory tests with the determination of red blood counts and standard calculated erythrocyte indices — MCV, MCH, MCHC. The main biochemical indicators were used to evaluate the state of iron metabolism in the body: the level of serum iron (SI) of the blood serum, the level of ferritin, the total iron binding capacity of the blood serum (IBCS), and estimate indicator of transferrin saturation with iron (TSI). Results. According to the analysis of the ferrokinetic parameters among 122 patients with HF low EF, there were 18 (14,8%) with functional ID, 42 (34,4%) with latent ID, 25 (20,5%) with mild degree of IDA and 37 patients (30,3%) with moderate degree of IDA. Clinical and laboratory examination of patients with comorbid absolute latent ID and mild IDA, moderate degree made it possible to detect a gradual decrease in CI, MCV, MCH, MCHC, ferritin, TSI, and an increase in IBCS in the wake of ID rising. And also a significant difference in the mean values of these indices, except for MCHC, compared with the group of patients with HF low EF without ID. A significant reduction in MCHC was observed only in the group of patients with concomitant IDA of moderate severity. Between the groups of patients with HF low EF with functional ID and a group of patients HF low EF without ID without a reliable difference of the studied indices was not found. Conclusions. Among patients with chronic heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction with growth of iron deficiency to iron deficiency anemia of moderate degree color indicator, MCV, MCH, MCHC are gradually decreasing. With absolute latent iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, the erythrocyte indices MCV and MCH are significantly lower than with functional and in the absence of iron imbalance, which allows using these indices not only to determine the manifest, but also the hidden absolute iron deficiency. For the verification of functional iron deficiency, it is necessary to study and use more sensitive calculated erythrocytic parameters.

Prevention and management of acute reactions to intravenous iron in surgical patients.

Absolute or functional iron deficiency is the most prevalent cause of anaemia in surgical patients, and its correction is a fundamental strategy within "Patient Blood Management" programmes. Offering perioperative oral iron for treating iron deficiency anaemia is still recommended, but intravenous iron has been demonstrated to be superior in most cases. However, the long-standing prejudice against intravenous iron administration, which is thought to induce anaphylaxis, hypotension and shock, still persists. With currently available intravenous iron formulations, minor infusion reactions are not common. These self-limited reactions are due to labile iron and not hypersensitivity. Aggressively treating infusion reactions with H1-antihistamines or vasopressors should be avoided. Self-limited hypotension during intravenous iron infusion could be considered to be due to hypersensitivity or vascular reaction to labile iron. Acute hypersensitivity reactions to current intravenous iron formulation are believed to be caused by complement activation-related pseudo-allergy. However, though exceedingly rare (<1:250,000 administrations), they should not be ignored, and intravenous iron should be administered only at facilities where staff is trained to evaluate and manage these reactions. As preventive measures, prior to the infusion, staff should inform all patients about infusion reactions and identify those patients with increased risk of hypersensitivity or contraindications for intravenous iron. Infusion should be started at a low rate for a few minutes. In the event of a reaction, the very first intervention should be the immediate cessation of the infusion, followed by evaluation of severity and treatment. An algorithm to scale the intensity of treatment to the clinical picture and/or response to therapy is presented.

Clinical and instrumental characteristics, clinical prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, depending on the presence and nature of the iron deficiency state

The aim – to compare patients with chronic heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with absolute and functional iron deficiency (ID) state according to the main clinical, hemodynamic, laboratory parameters and clinical prognosis indicators. Material and methods. In January – February, 2018, 128 stable patients with chronic heart failure (111 of men and 17 of women), 18–75 years old, NYHA class II–IV, with left ventricular ejection fraction &lt; 40 % were screened. Patients were included in a clinical compensation phase. Quality of life was assessed by the Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (MLHFQ), physical activity was estimated by the Duke University index, functional status – by assessing the 6-minute walking test and a standardized lower limb extension test.Results. ID was observed in 61 % of patients, 65 % had absolute ID. Patients with both types of ID were in higher functional class, had a poorer quality of life and worse clinical and laboratory indices than patients without ID. Regardless of the difference in the functional and absolute ID formation mechanisms, no significant distinctions in the clinical and functional parameters, quality of life, as well as the parameters of intracardiac hemodynamics were found. Contrary to expectations, elevated levels of hepcidin were not detected in patients with functional ID compared to the absolute ID group. The reliable differences in survival/hospitalization rate between patients without ID and both groups of patients with ID allow us to recommend the screening of iron deficiency in all patients with chronic heart failure and reduced LVEF.Conclusions. ID is found in 61 % patients. Functional ID was found in 27 patients (21 %), absolute ID – in 51 patients (39.6 %). There were no differences between groups of patients with absolute and functional ID by age, functional class, LVEF, percentage of aneamic patients, 6-minute walking distance, thigh quadriceps endurance, quality of life, physical activity index, NT-proBNP, citrulline and hepcidin levels. Compared to patients with absolute ID, patients with functional ID had higher levels of hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, interleukin-6. Presence of both ID types was associated with worse survival and more frequent hospitalization.

Preoperative anemia optimization: role of iron supplementation

The presence of anemia in the surgical patient is highly prevalent and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in the perioperative period. One of the three pillars of perioperative blood management is the optimization of the red blood cell mass. However, the use of allogeneic blood transfusions for anemia optimization is associated with increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes as well as increase healthcare financial costs. Therefore, the optimization of anemia has been shifted toward preference for a non-transfusional approach. Efforts aimed to mitigate the risk of allogeneic blood transfusion in anemic surgical patients by means of hematinic and nutrient supplementation are pursued to enhance perioperative outcomes. Iron deficiency is the most commonly associated etiology of anemia in surgical patients, and depending on the total body iron deposits as well as its bioavailability, it can be divided in absolute and relative iron deficiency. In both types of iron deficiency, the supplementation with parenteral iron is an effective and safe therapy to optimize the preoperative hemoglobin values, mitigating the risk of allogeneic blood transfusion by means of raising the postoperative hemoglobin nadir and avoiding reaching the transfusional threshold. There are multiple parenteral iron preparations, and its safety has been well validated.

Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Cancer Patients: Role of Iron Replacement Therapy.

Anemia in cancer patients is quite common, with remarkable negative impacts on quality of life and overall prognosis. The pathogenesis is complex and typically multifactorial, with iron deficiency (ID) often being a major and potentially treatable contributor. In turn, ID in cancer patients can be due to multiple concurring mechanisms, including bleeding (e.g., in gastrointestinal cancers or after surgery), malnutrition, medications, and hepcidin-driven iron sequestration into macrophages with subsequent iron-restricted erythropoiesis. Indeed, either absolute or functional iron deficiency (AID or FID) can occur. While for absolute ID there is a general consensus regarding the laboratory definition (that is ferritin levels <100 ng/mL ± transferrin saturation (TSAT) <20%), a shared definition of functional ID is still lacking. Current therapeutic options in cancer anemia include iron replacement, erythropoietic stimulating agents (ESAs), and blood transfusions. The latter should be kept to a minimum, because of concerns regarding risks, costs, and limited resources. Iron therapy has proved to be a valid approach to enhance efficacy of ESAs and to reduce transfusion need. Available guidelines focus mainly on patients with chemotherapy-associated anemia, and generally suggest intravenous (IV) iron when AID or FID is present. However, in the case of FID, the upper limit of ferritin in association with TSAT <20% at which iron should be prescribed is a matter of controversy, ranging up to 800 ng/mL. An increasingly recognized indication to IV iron in cancer patients is represented by preoperative anemia in elective oncologic surgery. In this setting, the primary goal of treatment is to decrease the need of blood transfusions in the perioperative period, rather than improving anemia-related symptoms as in chemotherapy-associated anemia. Protocols are mainly based on experiences of Patient Blood Management (PBM) in non-oncologic surgery, but no specific guidelines are available for oncologic surgery. Here we discuss some possible approaches to the management of ID in cancer patients in different clinical settings, based on current guidelines and recommendations, emphasizing the need for further research in the field.

Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Heart Failure: Current Concepts and Emerging Therapies.

Anemia and iron deficiency are important and common comorbidities that often coexist in patients with heart failure. Both conditions, together or independently, are associated with poor clinical status and worse outcomes. Whether anemia and iron deficiency are just markers of heart failure severity or whether they mediate heart failure progression and outcomes and therefore should be treated is not entirely clear. Treatment of anemia in patients with heart failure with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents has been evaluated intensively during the past several years. Unfortunately, these agents did not improve outcomes but were associated with a higher risk of adverse events. Iron deficiency in patients with heart failure can be absolute, when total body iron is decreased, or functional, when total body iron is normal or increased but is inadequate to meet the needs of target tissues because of sequestration in the storage pool. Whereas iron replacement is appropriate in patients with anemia resulting from absolute iron deficiency, it has been unclear whether and how absolute or functional iron deficiency should be treated in nonanemic patients with heart failure. Recently, small studies found that administration of intravenous iron in patients with heart failure and absolute or functional iron deficiency with or without anemia improves symptoms and exercise capacity, but long-term outcomes and safety data are not yet available. In this review, we discuss the causes and pathogenesis of and treatment options for anemia and iron deficiency in patients with heart failure.

Hepcidin and proinflammatory markers inchildren with chronic kidney disease: Acase-control study .

Hepcidin is the main regulator of hepcidin-ferroportin axis and is elevated in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Anemia of CKD and its relation to hepcidin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in iron- and erythropoietin (EPO)-naïve, non-dialyzed children with CKD is under-studied. This case-control study aimed to study the levels of hepcidin and other proinflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, hs-CRP) and their relation with anemia in iron- and erythropoietin-naïve, non-dialysis CKD (stage 3-5) patients. 32 pediatric CKD stage 3-5 patients aged 2-18 years without previous iron or EPO therapy were compared with 32 gender- and age-matched healthy controls. The CKD cases were also divided into three categories based on their serum ferritin levels and transferrin saturation (%TSAT): true iron deficiency, impaired iron trafficking, and no iron deficiency. The baseline iron status was then correlated with the serum hepcidin levels. Serum hepcidin, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were significantly elevated compared to controls. As CKD stage progressed, hemoglobin levels decreased, while serum hepcidin, IL6, TNF-α and hs-CRP levels increased significantly. Serum hepcidin levels correlated positively with IL-6 (r=0.57, p=0.001), TNF-α (r=0.34, p=0.05), hs-CRP (r=0.36, p=0.03), and ferritin (r=0.07, p=0.001), while being inversely correlated with Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) (r=-0.50, p=0.003), hemoglobin (r=-0.52, p=0.001), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (r=-0.71, p=0.000). Serum hepcidin levels were highest in those with impaired iron trafficking, followed by those with no iron deficiency, followed by those with absolute iron deficiency (55.16 vs. 49 vs. 11.8, p=0.005). Amongst those with no iron deficiency, hepcidin correlated negatively with hemoglobin (r=-0.752, p-value=0.007). A positive correlation between hepcidin and other inflammatory biomarkers in non-dialyzed, iron- and EPO-naïve pediatric CKD patients suggests a role of these markers in higher hepcidin production and its contribution to iron-restricted erythropoiesis across the spectrum of CKD. Median hepcidin levels were highest in those with impaired iron trafficking, followed by those with no iron deficiency, followed by those with absolute iron deficiency, suggesting that in an iron-replete state, high hepcidin levels inhibit iron absorption from the gut and release from iron storing cells, thus restricting erythropoiesis leading to anemia. .

KADAR HEMOGLOBIN RETIKULOSIT DI ANEMIA DAN NONANEMIA AKIBAT DEFISIENSI BESI ABSOLUT DI GAGAL GINJAL TERMINAL TERKAIT HEMODIALISIS (Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Level of Absolute Iron Deficiency Anemia and NonAbsolute Iron Deficiency Anemia In End State Renal Disease Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis)

Absolute Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is one of the complications in the End State Renal Disease (ESRD) patients undergoingmaintenance hemodalysis, with an incidence of 76.4%. If this condition is not properly addressed, it can lead to impaired cardiac functionand increased mortality. The incidence of this case is between 30−45%. The determination of the iron status in ESRD patients wqs setby the Perhimpunan Nefrologi Indonesia 2011 using serum ferritin and transferrin saturation, but they do not provide a meaningfulchange in the value of the initial state of the iron deficiency. This condition should be examined with other parameters combination aswell as those influenced by diurnal variation and infection-inflammation condition. Reticulocyte hemoglobin (Ret-He) parameter canbe used as a marker of bone marrow iron availability because these reticulocytes are young erythrocytes released from the bone marrowinto the circulation. These conditions were circulated only within a short time about 1-2 days before becoming mature erythrocytes. Theaim of this study was to determine the Ret-He level diferentiation between absolute IDA and non absolute IDA states in ESRD patientswhom underwent maintenance hemodialysis. This research was conducted in the Laboratory of Clinical Pathology-RSHS-Bandung fromSeptember 2012 to June 2013. The study design was cross-sectional. All subjects were ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis maintenancefor at least three (3) months and consisted of absolute IDA and non-absolute IDA based on the results of the ferritin and transferrinsaturation calculations according to the criteria of Pernefri 2011 Reticulocyte hemoglobin levels were checked using a fluorescenceflowcitometry principle in the automated hematology analyzer. In this study it was found that the Ret-He mean in the absolute IDA was26.1 pg/cell and 35.9 pg/cell in non absolute IDA. Statistical analysis was performed using Independent T-test. A total of 61 undergoingmaintenance hemodialysis subjects participating in this study comprised patients with absolute IDA and non-absolute IDA who met theinclusion and exclusion criteria. It can be concluded that the Ret-He level in statistical analysis showed absolute IDA which was meaningfullower than nonabsolute IDA in ESRD patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (p&lt;0.001).

Renal anemia syndromes in iraqi hemodialysis patients according to iron status.

Anemia is common in patients on hemodialysis (HD). Adequate iron stores are essential for achieving the best hemoglobin level through maximum benefit from erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA). Decreased iron stores or decreased availability of iron are the most common reasons for resistance to the effect of these agents. Our objective was to categorize a group of Iraqi HD patients according to absolute or functional iron deficiency anemia (IDA); this study was conducted in the HD unit of the Baghdad Teaching Hospital from October 2012 to January 2013. Seventy prevalent adult HD Iraqi patients were enrolled. All patients were tested for full blood counts and iron parameters. They were categorized as nonanemic and those with absolute or functional iron deficiency. The patients were also tested for serum albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), parathyroid hormone, and serum hepcidin levels. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and frequencies (number) and proportions (%). The mean age of the study group was 49.8 ± 12.3 years. Diabetes was the primary cause of end-stage renal disease, seen in 30 patients (42.8%). Majority of the HD patients were anemic, [51 (82.9%)] and among them, 39 (76.4%), had functional IDA. The mean serum iron, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation were significantly higher in patients with functional IDA than those with absolute IDA (P <0.05). The mean highly sensitive CRP, parathormone and hepcidin values were also significantly higher in functional IDA patients than in those with absolute IDA and the nonanemic group (P <0.05). More than half of the study patients had functional IDA, and this can explain ESA hyporesponsiveness. This is besides the interplay of other factors including inflammation, inadequate dialysis, and secondary hyperparathyroidism. It is essential to diagnose functional IDA early, before the initiation of unnecessary iron therapy.

Assessment of iron status in predialysis chronic kidney disease patients in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital.

Anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with poor overall outcome if not promptly managed with erythropoietin when indicated. This study assessed iron status and associated factors in predialysis CKD patients in Southern Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study that assessed and compared iron status in 100 predialysis CKD patients and 90 healthy controls. Mean age of the CKD patients was 49.39 ± 14.84 years. Iron deficiency was present in 14% of CKD patients compared to 3% of the controls (P = 0.021). Among CKD patients with ID, 11 (85.7%) had functional iron deficiency while three (14.3%) had absolute iron deficiency. Serum ferritin was significantly higher in the predialysis CKD patients (P = 0.001). There was no significant gender difference in iron indices among the CKD patients. Functional iron deficiency was present in 11 (11%) of the CKD patients compared to none among the control group (P = 0.003). There was no significant association between iron deficiency and age, gender, etiology, and stage of CKD. Functional iron deficiency was the predominant form of iron deficiency in our predialysis CKD patients, and there was no significant association with age, gender, stage, or etiology of CKD.

Absolute and Functional Iron Deficiency in Hospitalised Patients with Heart Failure: Effect on All-Cause Readmission

Introduction: Iron replacement in patients with New York Heart Association ≥II, left ventricular ejection fraction <45% ambulatory heart failure (HF), and with ferritin <100 μg/L or ferritin 100–300 μg/L with TSats <20% has been associated with reduced heart failure admissions. There are limited data on either the prevalence of iron deficiency or the efficacy of parenteral iron, when given opportunistically to patients hospitalised with HF with reduced or preserved ejection fraction.

Iron deficiency anemia in older adults: A review

Anemia in older adults is a risk factor for numerous negative outcomes. There is no standard definition, but in most studies, anemia is defined as a hemoglobin value <12 g/dL for women and <13 g/dL for men. Absolute iron deficiency anemia is defined as the combination of anemia and the absence of total body iron. Serum ferritin is the most frequently used diagnostic parameter, but its concentration increases with age and in the presence of inflammatory diseases. Other laboratory tests, such as transferrin saturation, soluble transferrin receptor and the soluble transferrin receptor/ferritin index might provide useful information, but there is a wide variety in the cut-off values and interpretation of the results. Recent research regarding hepcidin as a central regulator of iron homeostasis is promising, but it has not been used yet for the routine diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia. In older iron deficiency anemia patients, an esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy should be initiated in order to identify the underlying bleeding cause. CT colonography can replace a colonoscopy, and in specific cases, a video capsule is recommended. It remains crucial to keep in mind which potential benefits might be expected from these investigations in this vulnerable population, taking into account the comorbidity and life expectancy, and one should discuss in advance the possible therapeutic options and complications with the patient, a family member or a proxy. Oral iron administration is the standard treatment, but parenteral iron is a convenient and safe way to provide the total iron dose in one or a few sessions. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 373-379.

The role of preoperative iron deficiency in colorectal cancer patients: prevalence and treatment

BackgroundIn preoperative blood management of colorectal cancer patients, intravenous iron therapy is increasingly used to treat anaemia and prevent red blood cell transfusions. However, while iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia, little is known about the prevalence and namely type of iron deficiency in this population, whereas both types of iron deficiency (i.e. absolute and functional iron deficiency) are recommended to be treated differently by international cancer guidelines.ObjectiveThe aim of present study is to investigate the prevalence and namely type of iron deficiency in colorectal cancer patients, and to assess its clinical relevance.MethodsPreoperative iron status, clinical parameters (i.e. age, ASA classification, tumour location, tumour stage) and postoperative complications were retrospectively collected for all newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients in our institution over a 3-year period.ResultsIron deficiency was observed in 163 (48.1%) of 339 patients. Of these iron-deficient patients, 3.7% had an isolated absolute iron deficiency (AID) and 15.3% a functional iron deficiency (FID), while the rest had a combination of AID and FID. Anaemia was present in 66.1% of iron-deficient patients. Iron deficiency was significantly associated with an increased postoperative complication rate (univariable OR 1.94, p = 0.03, multivariable OR 1.84, p = 0.07), with right-sided tumours (p < 0.001), high ASA classification (p = 0.002), advanced tumour stage (p = 0.01) and advanced age (p = 0.04). In comparing clinical parameters between patients with AID and FID, advanced age was significantly associated with FID (p = 0.03), and the presence of anaemia with AID (p = 0.02).ConclusionIn preoperative colorectal cancer patients, there is a high prevalence of iron deficiency, including a high percentage of patients with—a component of—functional iron deficiency, associated with the increased postoperative complication rate. As both types of iron deficiency require a different treatment strategy, our results illustrate the therapeutic potential of especially intravenous iron supplementation in patients with severe iron deficiency and stress the urgency of routinely monitoring preoperative iron status and differentiation between types of iron deficiency. As iron therapy may also be potentially harmful in respect to stimulation of tumour growth, future clinical trials assessing the long-term effect of iron therapy are necessary.

Iron Deficiency in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The Use of Zincprotoporphyrin and Red Blood Cell Distribution Width.

Iron deficiency (ID) in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is either an absolute (depleted iron stores) or a functional deficiency (caused by chronic inflammation). Differentiating between these 2 types of ID is important because they require a different therapeutic approach. Zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) are parameters of functional ID. Studies using these parameters to differentiate are nonexistent. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for absolute and functional ID in paediatric IBD patients while using ZPP and RDW. We evaluated the iron status and medical charts of 59 paediatric IBD patients in a secondary hospital in the Netherlands. Absolute ID was defined as serum ferritin <15 μg/L in the absence of infection and/or acute inflammation (C-reactive protein <10 mg/L). Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) was defined as absolute ID in combination with anaemia. Functional ID, in patients without absolute ID, was defined as ZPP >70 μmol/mol haem and/or an RDW >14%. Anaemia of chronic disease (ACD) was defined as functional ID in combination with anaemia. Absolute and functional ID were found in 19/59 (32.2%) and 32/40 (80%) patients, respectively. The prevalence of IDA and ACD was 27.1% (16/59) and 20% (8/40), respectively. Multivariate analyses showed that absolute ID and IDA were both associated with a more recent IBD-diagnosis (both P < 0.05). Absolute and functional ID are common in paediatric IBD patients, and this differentiation is important because of therapeutic consequences. Furthermore, absolute ID and IDA are associated with a more recent IBD-diagnosis.

Oral sucrosomial iron versus intravenous iron in anemic cancer patients without iron deficiency receiving darbepoetin alfa: a pilot study

PurposeErythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are often used in treatment of patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia. Many studies have demonstrated an improved hemoglobin (Hb) response when ESA is combined with intravenous iron supplementation and a higher effectiveness of intravenous iron over traditional oral iron formulations. A new formulation of oral sucrosomial iron featuring an increased bioavailability compared to traditional oral formulations has recently become available and could provide a valid alternative to those by intravenous (IV) route. Our study evaluated the performance of sucrosomial iron versus intravenous iron in increasing hemoglobin in anemic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and darbepoetin alfa, as well as safety, need of transfusion, and quality of life (QoL).Materials and methodsThe present study considered a cohort of 64 patients with chemotherapy-related anemia (Hb >8 g/dL <10 g/dL) and no absolute or functional iron deficiency, scheduled to receive chemotherapy and darbepoetin. All patients received darbepoetin alfa 500 mcg once every 3 weeks and were randomly assigned to receive 8 weeks of IV ferric gluconate 125 mg weekly or oral sucrosomial iron 30 mg daily. The primary endpoint was to demonstrate the performance of oral sucrosomial iron in improving Hb response, compared to intravenous iron. The Hb response was defined as the Hb increase ≥2 g/dL from baseline or the attainment Hb ≥ 12 g/dL.ResultsThere was no difference in the Hb response rate between the two treatment arms. Seventy one percent of patients treated with IV iron achieved an erythropoietic response, compared to 70% of patients treated with oral iron. By conventional criteria, this difference is considered to be not statistically significant. There were also no differences in the proportion of patients requiring red blood cell transfusions and changes in QoL. Sucrosomial oral iron was better tolerated.ConclusionIn cancer patients with chemotherapy-related anemia receiving darbepoetin alfa, sucrosomial oral iron provides similar increase in Hb levels and Hb response, with higher tolerability without the risks or side effects of IV iron.

Intravenous iron therapy for anemic cancer patients: a review of recently published clinical studies

Based on available literature and on the present review, IV iron administration to anemic cancer patients can increase significantly the level of Hb, probably independently from the precise mechanism of anemia itself. However, in future studies, the benefit should be evaluated taking into account whether the anemia is due to absolute or functional iron deficiency; therapeutic modalities might be different for these two conditions. Along the same lines, it appears important to further evaluate the respective roles of PO and IV iron therapies and the modalities of their use in clinical practice. Until the results of such studies are available, it appears reasonable to propose IV iron therapy to anemic cancer patients as the resulting rise of Hb level may increase their quality of life and performance status and reduce the need for erythropoietin-stimulating agents and/or blood transfusions.

Pre-operative haemoglobin levels and iron status in a large multicentre cohort of patients undergoing major elective surgery.

Pre-operative anaemia in patients undergoing major surgical procedures has been linked to poor outcomes. Therefore, early detection and treatment of pre-operative anaemia is recommended. However, to effectively implement a pre-operative anaemia management protocol, an estimation of its prevalence and main causes is needed. We analysed data from 3342 patients (44.5% female) scheduled for either: elective orthopaedic surgery (n=1286); cardiac surgery (n=691); colorectal cancer resection (n=735); radical prostatectomy (n=362); gynaecological surgery (n=203) or resection of liver metastases (n=122). For both sexes, anaemia was defined by a haemoglobin level < 130g.l-1 ; absolute iron deficiency by ferritin < 30ng.ml-1 (< 100ng.ml-1 , if transferrin saturation < 20% or C-reactive protein >5mg.l-1 ); iron sequestration by transferrin saturation < 20% and ferritin >100ng.ml-1 ; and low iron stores by transferrin saturation > 20% and ferritin 30-100ng.ml-1 . The overall prevalence of anaemia was 36%, with differences according to the type of surgery. Laboratory parameters allowing classification of iron status were available for 2884 patients. Among those with anaemia (n=986), 677 (69%) were women, 608 (62%) presented with absolute iron deficiency, 101 (10%) with iron sequestration; and 150 (5%) with low iron stores. Iron status alterations were similar in women with haemoglobin < 130g.l-1 or < 120g.l-1 . For those who were not anaemic (n=1898), corresponding figures were 656 (35%), 621 (33%), 165 (9%) and 518 (27%), respectively. Anaemia was present in one-third of patients undergoing major elective procedures. Over two-thirds of anaemic patients presented with absolute iron deficiency or iron sequestration. Over half of non-anaemic patients presented with absolute iron deficiency or low iron stores. We consider these data useful for planning pre-operative management of patients scheduled for major elective surgery.

Diagnosing and preventing iron overload.

Absolute or functional iron (Fe) deficiency is an important determinant of anemia in hemodialysis patients and parenteral Fe is routinely used to treat this condition in conjunction with erythropoiesis stimulating agents. While restoration of hemoglobin toward the target range is a good outcome of Fe replacement, it is well known that Fe overload and toxicity may be adverse consequences of this therapy. Dialysis clinical practice guidelines recommend tailoring Fe therapy based on transferrin saturation and serum ferritin levels. Unfortunately, serum Fe markers may not accurately reflect the amount of Fe in the body, because factors such as infections, inflammation, or malignancy can alter serum ferritin levels. Some recent trials in dialysis patients receiving high intravenous Fe doses have shown increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in this population have shown excessive tissue liver iron content (LIC) suggesting Fe overload. While LIC measured by MRI correlates well with LIC quantitated by liver biopsy, it only represents a surrogate marker for total body Fe and its clinical relevance in dialysis patients in terms of mortality and morbidity remains to be demonstrated. Nevertheless, these recent findings challenge the use of current serum Fe markers recommended by clinical guidelines to guide safe Fe therapy in dialysis patients. While not yet established for the routine screening of dialysis patients for Fe overload, MRI should be considered in patients who have received a high cumulative dose of intravenous Fe, or have long cumulative dialysis vintage. Further studies are needed to assess how MRI will alter management.