Safety monitoring of oral iron supplements in pregnant women with anemia: a multi-center observational clinical study

Aims

To investigate the safety of oral iron therapy in pregnant women with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in the real world.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 1792 pregnant patients with IDA who received oral iron supplements from 12 hospitals in Shandong Province from 1 April to 31 June 2021; follow-up and adverse reactions were recorded. They were divided into six groups according to the treatment drugs.

Results

The overall adverse reaction rate was 15.4%, and the main adverse reaction site was the digestive system. The incidence of all kinds of oral iron adverse reactions from high to low in order: compound ferrous sulfate and folic acid tablets (21.88%); iron proteinsuccinylate oral solution (20.90%); ferrous succinate tablets (19.76%); ferrous succinate sustained-release tablets (18.00%); iron polysaccharide complex capsule (12.06%); and iron dextran oral solution (6.94%). It was found that there was a significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions among the six drugs (p < 0.05). Pairwise comparison showed that the incidence of adverse reactions was higher in the iron proteinsuccinylate oral solution than that in the iron polysaccharide complex capsule (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions in different ages (p > 0.05), but there was a significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions in different gestational ages (p < 0.05). In Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) patients, the adverse reaction result of most patients is recovery or improvement, and there was no serious adverse reaction outcome such as sequela and death.

Conclusion

All the adverse reactions of oral iron were mainly gastrointestinal adverse reactions, and no heavy adverse reactions were found. Iron proteinsuccinylate oral solution has a higher incidence of adverse reactions than iron polysaccharide complex capsule. The results showed that oral iron was safer for anemia patients during pregnancy.

The role of oral iron in the treatment of adults with iron deficiency

Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world, affecting over 20% of premenopausal women worldwide. Oral iron supplementation is often the first-line treatment for the acute and chronic management of iron deficiency due to its ease and accessibility. However, there is no consensus on the optimal formulation or dosing strategy, or which patients should be preferentially treated with intravenous iron. Management of iron deficiency is complicated by the hepcidin-ferroportin iron regulatory pathway, which has evolved to prevent iron overload and thereby creates an inherent limit on gastrointestinal iron uptake and efficacy of oral iron. Unabsorbed iron propagates many of the side effects that complicate oral iron use including dyspepsia and constipation, all of which can thus be exacerbated by excessive oral iron doses. Daily low dose and every other day dosing protocols have attempted to bypass this physiologic bottleneck to allow for effective absorption and limit side effects; however, this approach has still resulted in low fractional iron absorption. In the following manuscript, we review the pathophysiology of iron absorption and current evidence for various preparations of oral iron. Lastly, we highlight opportunities for further study to advance the care of individuals affected by iron deficiency.

The incidence, complications, and treatment of iron deficiency in pregnancy

Iron deficiency and/or iron deficiency anemia (IDA) complicate nearly 50% of pregnancies globally, negatively impacting both maternal and fetal outcomes. Iron deficiency can cause a range of symptoms that range from aggravating to debilitating including fatigue, poor quality of life, pagophagia, and restless leg syndrome. Iron deficiency and IDA are also associated with maternal complications including preterm labor, increased rates of cesarean delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, and maternal death. Fetal complications include increased rates of low birth weight and small for gestational age newborns. Prenatal maternal anemia has also been associated with autism spectrum disorders in the neonate, although causation is not established. Deficiency in the newborn is associated with compromised memory, processing, and bonding, with some of these deficits persisting into adulthood. Despite the prevalence and consequences associated with iron deficiency in pregnancy, data show that it is routinely undertreated. Due to the physiologic changes of pregnancy, all pregnant individuals should receive oral iron supplementation. However, the bioavailability of oral iron is poor and it is often ineffective at preventing and treating iron deficiency. Likewise, it frequently causes gastrointestinal symptoms that can worsen the quality of life in pregnancy. Intravenous iron formulations administered in a single or multiple dose series are now available. There is increasing data suggesting that newer intravenous formulations are safe and effective in the second and third trimesters and should be strongly considered in pregnant individuals without optimal response to oral iron repletion.

Biodegradable Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Doped with Iron as Carriers of Exogenous Iron in the Living Organism

Iron plays an important role in various crucial processes in the body and its deficiency is considered currently as a serious health problem. Thus, iron supplementation strategies for both humans and animals need to be effective and safe. According to our previous studies, zinc-based nanoparticles provide safe, biodegradable, fast and efficient transport system of orally given substances to the tissues. In the current manuscript we present results of a study aimed at investigation of the ZnO nanoparticle-based Fe supplementation system (average size 100 × 250 nm). Nanostructures were orally (gavage) administered to adult mice. Animals were sacrificed at different time points with collection of blood and internal organs for analyses (tissue iron concentration, hepatic level of hepcidin, blood parameters, liver and spleen levels of ferritin, histopathology). Initial experiment was performed to compare the biological effect of doping type (Fe³⁺ doping vs. a mixture of Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺). Then, the effect of acute/chronic exposure models was determined. The increase in ferritin, along with improved, crucial hematological parameters and lack of the influence on hepcidin expression indicated the chronic application of Fe^3+,2+ doped ZnO nanostructures to be the most effective among tested.

Is IV iron sucrose a cost-effective option for treatment of severe anaemia in pregnancy as compared with oral iron?

Anaemia in pregnancy is a public health concern because it is strongly associated with maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. An open label randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in India across four government medical colleges, comparing intravenous (IV) iron sucrose and oral iron for the treatment of anaemia in pregnancy. This RCT failed to demonstrate superiority of IV iron sucrose compared with oral iron therapy in reducing adverse clinical (maternal and foetal/neonatal) outcomes in moderate-to-severe anaemia in pregnancy. However, IV iron sucrose seemed to reduce the need for blood transfusion among women with severe anaemia. The study objective was to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of IV iron sucrose over oral therapy for treatment of severe anaemia in pregnancy, alongside the RCT, to inform policy. The outcome of interest in our study was a 'safe delivery' defined by the absence of composite maternal and foetal/neonatal adverse clinical outcomes. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated from a limited societal perspective. IV iron sucrose was found to be more costly but more effective than the oral therapy for treatment of severe anaemia. The ICER was calculated at INR 31 951 (USD 445.2) per safe delivery. We considered a threshold of half the gross national income for decision-making. Considering this threshold of India (INR 57 230, USD 797.4), IV iron-sucrose remained cost-effective in 67% of the iterations in the model. At the current ICER, for every 32 severely anaemic pregnant woman treated with IV iron sucrose one additional pregnant woman will have a safe delivery. Such analyses can complement the national strategy to support evidence-based action.

Oral Ferric Maltol for the Treatment of Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Patients With CKD: A Randomized Trial and Open-Label Extension

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

Iron-deficiency anemia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not requiring kidney replacement therapy (KRT). We evaluated effects of oral iron replacement therapy with ferric maltol in these patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (AEGIS-CKD) and open-label extension.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

Adults with stage 3 or 4 CKD and iron-deficiency anemia at 30 US centers.

INTERVENTION

Oral ferric maltol at 30mg or placebo twice daily for 16 weeks (2:1 randomization) followed by ferric maltol at 30mg twice daily for up to 36 weeks (all patients).

OUTCOME

Change from baseline in hemoglobin (primary end point at week 16), ferritin, transferrin saturation, and serum iron; safety.

RESULTS

167 patients were randomized (ferric maltol, n=111; placebo, n=56). At week 16, hemoglobin had increased significantly with ferric maltol versus placebo (least-squares mean difference: 0.5±0.2 [SE] g/dL; 95% CI, 0.1-0.9; P=0.01). Ferritin, transferrin saturation, and serum iron increased with ferric maltol but declined with placebo (all P<0.05). Hemoglobin levels were sustained up to week 52 in patients continuing ferric maltol and increased in patients switching from placebo to ferric maltol. The most frequent adverse events were gastrointestinal (randomized phase: 41% vs 30% [ferric maltol vs placebo]; open-label phase: 56% vs 46%, respectively). Adverse events led to treatment withdrawal in 7 patients (6%) receiving ferric maltol and 5 patients (9%) receiving placebo during double-blind treatment, and 11 patients (9%) during the open-label extension.

LIMITATIONS

Heterogeneity in baseline ferritin levels; high proportion of female participants; single-arm open-label extension.

CONCLUSIONS

Ferric maltol was associated with statistically significant (week 16) and sustained (up to week 52) increases in hemoglobin and iron indices in patients with CKD and iron deficiency, and was well tolerated during treatment for up to 52 weeks.

FUNDING

Funded by Shield Therapeutics (UK) Ltd.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with study number NCT02968368.

[Which is the role of the oral iron therapies for iron deficiency anemia in non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease patients? Results from clinical experience]

Iron deficiency afflicts about 60% of dialysis patients and about 30% of non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients (ND-CKD). The role of iron deficiency in determining anemia in CKD patients is so relevant that guidelines from the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) initiative recommend treating it before starting with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. KDIGO guidelines suggest oral iron therapy because it is commonly available and inexpensive, although it is often characterized by low bioavailability and low compliance due to adverse effects. A new-generation oral iron therapy is now available and seems to be promising. We therefore conducted a study to determine whether an association of iron sucrose, folic acid and vitamins C, B6, B12, can improve anemia in ND-CKD patients, stage 3-5. Our study shows that iron sucrose is a safe and effective oral iron therapy and that it is capable of correcting anemia in ND-CKD patients, although it does not seem to replete low iron stores.

Iron Therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The most common complication seen in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients is iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). Symptoms such as chronic fatigue can be as debilitating to IBD patients as pathological symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Recognising and correcting anaemia may be as important as managing IBD symptoms and improving overall quality of life. Thus, iron replacement should be commenced the moment IDA is identified. Although intravenous iron is now considered standard treatment for IBD patients in Europe, oral iron still appears to be the preferred option. Advantages of oral iron include greater availability, lower costs and ease of applicability. However, its multitude of side effects, impact on the microbiome and further exacerbating IBD activity can have consequences on patient compliance. The newer oral iron formulations show promising safety and efficacy data with a good side effect profile. Intravenous iron formulations bypass the gastrointestinal tract absorption thereby leading to less side effects. Multiple studies have shown its superiority compared to oral formulations although its risk for hypersensitivity reactions continue to lead to clinician hesitancy in prescribing this formulation. This article provides an updated review on diagnosis and management of IDA in IBD patients, discussing the newer oral and intravenous formulations.

Oral Iron for IBD Patients: Lessons Learned at Time of COVID-19 Pandemic

Anemia is a frequent manifestation in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and requires tight monitoring and adequate supplementary therapy. Intravenous iron is the first-line treatment in subjects with moderate–severe anemia, active disease, or oral iron intolerance. On the other hand, oral iron is recommended in patients with mild anemia and inactive disease. However, during the current coronavirus pandemic, hospital activities have significantly changed, and all non-essential procedures, including non-urgent iron infusions, have been rescheduled. Oral iron, including both the traditional formulations with ferrous iron and the new ferric iron complexes, could constitute a valid alternative for anemia treatment. For this reason, we conducted a literature review, to summarize the scientific evidence on oral iron therapy in IBD patients with anemia.

Iron Treatment May Be Difficult in Inflammatory Diseases: Inflammatory Bowel Disease as a Paradigm

Iron plays a key role in many physiological processes; cells need a very exact quantity of iron. In patients with inflammatory bowel disease, anaemia is a unique example of multifactorial origins, frequently being the result of a combination of iron deficiency and anaemia of chronic disease. The main cause of iron deficiency is the activity of the disease. Therefore, the first aim should be to reach complete clinical remission. The iron supplementation route should be determined according to symptoms, severity of anaemia and taking into account comorbidities and individual risks. Oral iron can only be used in patients with mild anaemia, whose disease is inactive and who have not been previously intolerant to oral iron. Intravenous iron should be the first line treatment in patients with moderate-severe anaemia, in patients with active disease, in patients with poor tolerance to oral iron and when erythropoietin agents or a fast response is needed. Erythropoietin is used in a few patients with anaemia to overcome functional iron deficiency, and blood transfusion is being restricted to refractory cases or acute life-threatening situations.

Sucrosomial® Iron Supplementation in Mice: Effects on Blood Parameters, Hepcidin, and Inflammation

Sucrosomial^® Iron is a recently developed formulation to treat iron deficiency based on ferric pyrophosphate covered by a matrix of phospholipids plus sucrose esters of fatty acids. Previous data indicated that Sucrosomial^® Iron is efficiently absorbed by iron-deficient subjects, even at low dosage, and without side effects. Its structural properties may suggest that it is absorbed by an intestinal pathway which is different to the one used by ionic iron. Although, studies in vitro showed that Sucrosomial^® Iron is readily absorbed, no animal models have been established to study this important aspect. To this aim, we induced iron deficient anemia in mice by feeding them with a low-iron diet, and then we treated them with either Sucrosomial^® Iron or sulfate iron by gavage for up to two weeks. Both iron formulations corrected anemia and restored iron stores in a two-week period, but with different kinetics. Ferrous Sulfate was more efficient during the first week and Sucrosomial^® Iron in the second week. Of note, when given at the same concentrations, Ferrous Sulfate induced the expression of hepcidin and four different inflammatory markers (Socs3, Saa1, IL6 and CRP), while Sucrosomial^® Iron did not. We conclude that anemic mice are interesting models to study the absorption of oral iron, and that Sucrosomial^® Iron is to be preferred over Ferrous Sulfate because of similar absorption but without inducing an inflammatory response.

Beneficial Effects of Oral Iron in Japanese Patients on Hemodialysis

Objective Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) has become important with regard to mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the treatment of these patients. Methods IDA in end-stage renal disease patients on HD was observed in 42 (33.6%) of 125 patients. We examined the influence of daily orally iron [sodium ferrous citrate (SFC) iron/tablet 50 mg, 1-2 tablets] on the renal function markers, anemia and iron data for about 6 months. Results The hematocrit and hemoglobin levels were significantly increased in the patients treated with SFC [hematocrit: before 28.5%±2.1% (mean ± standard deviation), 1st month 30.0%±2.3%, p<0.05; 3rd month 32.4%±2.9%, p<0.05; 6th month 31.3%±3.4%, p<0.05; and hemoglobin: before 9.25±0.70, 1st month 9.72±0.71, p<0.05; 3rd month 10.54±0.96, p<0.05; 6th month 10.25±1.21 g/dL, p<0.05]. The transferrin saturation (TSAT) and serum ferritin levels were significantly increased in the patients treated with SFC (TSAT: before 21.5%±10.0%, 1st-3rd month, 34.1%±15.1%, p<0.05; 6-8th month 34.7%±11.9%, p<0.05; and ferritin: before 38.2±37.1, 6-8th month 67.5±44.0 ng/mL, p<0.05). The present findings clearly indicate that oral iron is an effective route of iron supplementation in HD patients, and no adverse effects associated with SFC occurred during the treatment and follow-up period. Conclusion Our results clearly indicate that oral iron delivered via SFC is a well-tolerated and effective form of iron supplementation in long-term HD and IDA patients in Japan.

Insights into the diagnosis and management of iron deficiency in inflammatory bowel disease

INTRODUCTION

Iron deficiency is a frequent comorbidity of chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease that can severely impact the health and quality of life of affected individuals. It can exist as a silent condition and manifest in non-specific symptoms even in the absence of anemia. Even though iron deficiency anemia is the most common complication and extra-intestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease, the majority of inflammatory bowel disease patients who are diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia are not treated. Areas covered: In this review, we discuss iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and review diagnostic and therapeutic options. Expert commentary: We invite international gastroenterological societies and associations to refine the practice guidelines and include iron deficiency as a potential morbidity associated with IBD in analogy to arthritis, uveitis or any other extra intestinal manifestations. There should a more unanimous agreement among different societies on the specific diagnostic cutoff values for C-reactive protein levels, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation in order to differentiate iron deficiency anemia from anemia of chronic disease.

Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Anemia affects one-fourth of the world's population, and iron deficiency is the predominant cause. Anemia is associated with chronic fatigue, impaired cognitive function, and diminished well-being. Patients with iron deficiency anemia of unknown etiology are frequently referred to a gastroenterologist because in the majority of cases the condition has a gastrointestinal origin. Proper management improves quality of life, alleviates the symptoms of iron deficiency, and reduces the need for blood transfusions. Treatment options include oral and intravenous iron therapy; however, the efficacy of oral iron is limited in certain gastrointestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and autoimmune gastritis. This article provides a critical summary of the diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency anemia. In addition, it includes a management algorithm that can help the clinician determine which patients are in need of further gastrointestinal evaluation. This facilitates the identification and treatment of the underlying condition and avoids the unnecessary use of invasive methods and their associated risks.

Ferric carboxymaltose: A revolution in the treatment of postpartum anemia in Indian women

Objectives:

The objective of the present study is to compare the safety and efficacy of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), intravenous (IV) iron sucrose and oral iron in the treatment of post = partum anemia (PPA).

Materials and Methods:

A total of 366 women admitted to SCB Medical College, Cuttack between September 2010 and August 2012 suffering from PPA hemoglobin (Hb) <10 g/dL were randomly assigned to receive either oral iron or IV FCM or iron sucrose. FCM, IV iron sucrose, and oral iron were given as per the protocol. Changes in hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin levels at 2 and 6 weeks after treatment were measured and analyzed using ANOVA. Adverse effects to drug administration were also recorded.

Results:

A statistically significant increase in Hb and serum ferritin level were observed in all three groups, but the increase in FCM group was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than conventional iron sucrose and oral iron group. The mean increase in Hb after 2 weeks was 0.8, 2.4, and 3.2 g/dL and 2.1, 3.4, and 4.4 g/dL at 6 weeks in oral iron, iron sucrose and FCM groups, respectively. The mean increase in serum ferritin levels after 2 weeks was 2.5, 193.1, and 307.1 and 14.2, 64, and 106.7 ng/mL after 6 weeks in oral iron, iron sucrose and FCM groups, respectively. Adverse drug reactions were significantly less (P < 0.001) in FCM group when compared with other two groups.

Conclusion:

Ferric carboxymaltose elevates Hb level and restores iron stores faster than IV iron sucrose and oral iron, without any severe adverse reactions. There was better overall satisfaction reported by the patients who received FCM treatment.

Dietary iron depletion at weaning imprints low microbiome diversity and this is not recovered with oral Nano Fe(III)

Alterations in the gut microbiota have been recently linked to oral iron. We conducted two feeding studies including an initial diet-induced iron-depletion period followed by supplementation with nanoparticulate tartrate-modified ferrihydrite (Nano Fe(III): considered bioavailable to host but not bacteria) or soluble ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄: considered bioavailable to both host and bacteria). We applied denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and fluorescence in situ hybridization for study-1 and 454-pyrosequencing of fecal 16S rRNA in study-2. In study-1, the within-community microbial diversity increased with FeSO₄ (P = 0.0009) but not with Nano Fe(III) supplementation. This was confirmed in study-2, where we also showed that iron depletion at weaning imprinted significantly lower within- and between-community microbial diversity compared to mice weaned onto the iron-sufficient reference diet (P < 0.0001). Subsequent supplementation with FeSO₄ partially restored the within-community diversity (P = 0.006 in relation to the continuously iron-depleted group) but not the between-community diversity, whereas Nano Fe(III) had no effect. We conclude that (1) dietary iron depletion at weaning imprints low diversity in the microbiota that is not, subsequently, easily recovered; (2) in the absence of gastrointestinal disease iron supplementation does not negatively impact the microbiota; and (3) Nano Fe(III) is less available to the gut microbiota.

Iron deficiency anemia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia worldwide, caused by poor iron intake, chronic blood loss, or impaired absorption. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are increasingly likely to have iron deficiency anemia, with an estimated prevalence of 36%–76%. Detection of iron deficiency is problematic as outward signs and symptoms are not always present. Iron deficiency can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life, necessitating prompt management and treatment. Effective treatment includes identifying and treating the underlying cause and initiating iron replacement therapy with either oral or intravenous iron. Numerous formulations for oral iron are available, with ferrous fumarate, sulfate, and gluconate being the most commonly prescribed. Available intravenous formulations include iron dextran, iron sucrose, ferric gluconate, and ferumoxytol. Low-molecular weight iron dextran and iron sucrose have been shown to be safe, efficacious, and effective in a host of gastrointestinal disorders. Ferumoxytol is the newest US Food and Drug Administration-approved intravenous iron therapy, indicated for iron deficiency anemia in adults with chronic kidney disease. Ferumoxytol is also being investigated in Phase 3 studies for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in patients without chronic kidney disease, including subgroups with IBD. A review of the efficacy and safety of iron replacement in IBD, therapeutic considerations, and recommendations for the practicing gastroenterologist are presented.

Iron sucrose versus oral iron therapy in pregnancy anemia

Background:

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common medical problem in pregnancy. Parenteral iron is a useful treatment, although iron dextran use decreased due to anaphylaxis. Iron sucrose is a newer agent that has overcome the shortcomings of iron dextran.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerance of intravenous iron sucrose (IVIS) therapy with oral iron (OI) therapy in pregnant women with IDA and to study the factors influencing treatment.

Materials and Methods:

This prospective, randomized clinical trial included pregnant women between 14 and 36 weeks with established IDA who were treated with IVIS or OI (ferrous fumarate). All patients were monitored for laboratory response and adverse effects. Independent sample-t test, Chi square test and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

Although hemoglobin increased in both the groups, increase in the reticulocyte count and percentage increase in hemoglobin was significantly higher in the IVIS group than in the OI group (23.62% vs. 14.11%). Serum ferritin was significantly higher in the IVIS group than in the OI group (P = 0.000). The IVIS group had no major side-effects. Compliance was good with OI, although 23% had gastrointestinal side-effects. Patient weight, gestation at diagnosis, initial hemoglobin and ferritin levels did not influence the response to treatment.

Conclusion:

IVIS is safe and effective in the treatment of IDA during pregnancy. Iron stores increased better with IVIS compared with OI.