A Study of comparison of efficacy and safety of intravenous iron sucrose with and without erythropoietin versus blood transfusions in patients with severe iron deficiency anemia.

  • Sakul Sakul Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital
  • Mega Lahori
  • Anil Kumar Gupta
  • Sanjay Bhat
  • Puneeta Gupta
Keywords: Iron, Anemia, Iron Sucrose, Erythropoietin, Blood Transfusion, Hemoglobin

Abstract

Objective: This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous iron sucrose with and without erythropoietin versus blood transfusions in raising the hemoglobin level in patients with severe iron deficiency anemia.Study design: Sixty patients with severe iron-deficiency anemia were randomly assigned to receive intravenously iron sucrose plus recombinant human erythropoietin or iron sucrose alone thrice weekly. Target hemoglobin value was 11.0 g/dL. Efficacy measures were reticulocyte count, increase in hematocrit, and time to target hemoglobin level. Safety profile and cost of therapy was also evaluated.            Results: Both regimens were effective, but with adjuvant recombinant human erythropoietin the reticulocyte counts were higher from day 4 (P<.01), increases in hematocrit were greater from day 4 (P <.01), and the median duration of therapy was shorter, with more patients reaching the target hemoglobin earlier. The groups did not differ with respect to adverse effects during therapy. Conclusion: Adjuvant recombinant human erythropoietin safely enhanced the efficacy of iron sucrose in the treatment of severe iron-deficiency anemia but increased the cost of therapy. 

Author Biography

Sakul Sakul, Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital
Department of Internal MedicineAssistant Professor

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Published
2016-10-12
Section
Original Article