Safety and Efficacy of Ferric Carboxymaltose in the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, in Routine Daily Practice

Exploring progress in iron supplement formulation approaches for treating iron deficiency anemia through bibliometric and thematic analysis

Anemia is a severe health issue that affects around one-third of the global population. Therefore, the present study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis to investigate the research trends regarding advancements on iron formulations in treating iron deficiency anemia via oral or parenteral route. This study adopts thematic and bibliometric methods on existing research on novel iron formulations. It also provides perspective into the existing understanding on treatment strategies for iron deficiency anemia. This study is conducted on 543 papers on various ferrous and ferric formulations used in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. The study period is from 1977 to 2022, and the papers are identified from the Scopus database. The bibliometric analysis was carried out using the R tool's Bibliometrix package. The study discusses performance analysis, including annual publications, geographic analysis, relevant affiliations, journal analysis, and citation analysis. In addition, the conceptual structure, including the co-occurrence network, thematic map, thematic evolution, intellectual structure highlighting co-citation analysis, and social structure depicting the collaboration network and collaboration world map, are presented. The results showed increased research on formulation strategies for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia from 2010 onwards. The top 5 contributing countries are the USA, Italy, India, Germany, and the UK, and peer-reviewed journals from the area of nutrition. The most trending areas of study are iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy, chronic kidney diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and various intravenous formulations used in its treatment. The authors from Europe collaborate the most with authors from other countries. The study concludes that a safer and more effective iron formulation is needed to reduce the prevalence of anemia. The findings of the study are helpful in advancing research on innovative formulations for treating iron deficiency anemia. The insights from the study are helpful to policymakers in designing specific health policies and investing more in research and development of novel formulations for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia.

Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Patients with Corpus Atrophic Gastritis: A Retrospective Study

Corpus Atrophic Gastritis (CAG) is characterised by iron malabsorption leading to iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), which rarely responds to oral therapy. Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), shown to be a safe and effective intravenous iron therapy in other diseases, has not been investigated yet in CAG. Thus, we aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of FCM in CAG-related IDA. A retrospective study on 91 patients identified CAG as the only cause of IDA treated with FCM. Twenty-three were excluded for incomplete follow-up. Sixty-eight were evaluated for safety and efficacy, while three were evaluated for safety only due to infusion interruption for side effects. Haemoglobin and iron storage were evaluated pre-infusion (T0), at 4 weeks (T4) and 12 weeks (T12) after infusion. An eventual IDA relapse was analysed. Two cases reported mild side effects. Haemoglobin significantly increased at T4, and T12, reaching +3.1 g/dL. Ferritin increased at T4, decreasing at T12, while transferrin saturation increased progressively until reaching a plateau. IDA relapsed in 55.4% of patients at a mean of 24.6 months. The only factor associated with relapse was female gender [OR (95% CI): 6.6 (1.5-28.6)]. FCM proved to be safe and effective in treating CAG-related IDA, ensuring quick and long-lasting recovery.

Ferric carboxymaltose for anemia in Crohn’s disease patients at a tertiary center: A retrospective observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Although the gastrointestinal tract is the most affected by Crohn’s disease (CD), the condition triggers other consequent manifestations, and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common. Intravenous (IV) iron replacement is currently available through several drugs, such as ferric hydroxide sucrose and ferric carboxymaltose (FCM). However, the clinical management of these conditions can be challenging.

AIM

To elucidate the drug’s effectiveness, the present study analyzed, through medical records, the clinical and epidemiological data of a cohort of patients with active CD who received IV FCM for the IDA treatment.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study included 25 patients with active CD, severe anemia, and refractory to previous conventional treatments. Patients were evaluated two times: During the last treatment with ferric hydroxide sucrose and treatment with FCM.

RESULTS

After treatment with FCM, parameters of IDA assessment significantly improved, serum hemoglobin (Hb) levels increased in 93% of patients (P < 0.0001), and in 44%, there was an increase of ≥ 2 g/dL in a single application. In addition, 86% of the patients showed an increase in serum iron (P < 0.0001) and ferritin (P = 0.0008) and 50% in transferrin saturation (P = 0.01). The serum iron levels at baseline showed a negative association with the ileal and colonic CD and use of biologics and a positive association with patients who developed CD later in life after the age of 40 (A3) and with a stenosing (B2) and fistulizing (B3) phenotype. The values of Hb and hematocrit after ferric hydroxide sucrose treatment remained similar to those found before treatment.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that FCM is an important therapeutic strategy for treating IDA in CD patients, achieving satisfactory results in refractory cases.

Adjunctive therapeutic effects of micronutrient supplementation in inflammatory bowel disease

Growing evidence suggests that micronutrient status may have some impact on the course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, micronutrient deficiencies are easily overlooked during the treatment of IBD patients. There have been many studies on micronutrient supplementation, in which several clinical trials have been conducted targeting vitamin D and iron, but the current research is still preliminary for other vitamins and minerals. This review provides an overview of the adjunctive therapeutic effects of micronutrient supplementation in IBD, to summarize the available evidence, draw the attention of clinicians to micronutrient monitoring and supplementation in patients with IBD, and also provide some perspectives for future research directions.

Effect of Intravenous Iron Administration on Bone Mineral and Iron Homeostasis in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease—Results of a Prospective Single-Centre Study

Introduction: Anaemia and bone metabolism alterations are common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is a heterogeneous group of diseases that include Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) with a rich intestinal and extraintestinal symptomatology. All these make the diagnostic procedures complicated and difficult. Purpose and scope: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of parenteral iron administration on biomarkers of mineral and bone homeostasis over time. Materials and methods: The study was a single-centre non-randomised prospective study. It was carried out between 2016 and 2020 in a group of patients in the Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Subunit of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases at the National Institute of Medicine of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw. At the first examination, the baseline disease severity, initial evaluation of anaemia (morphology, iron (Fe), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin, vitamin B12, folic acid) and bone mineral metabolism including C-reactive protein (CRP), albumins, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Calcium, osteocalcin, phosphate in serum and in urine, parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D3, fibroblast growth factor (iFGF23) and procollagen type 1N propeptide (P1NP) C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), was initially assessed. On the basis of peripheral blood counts, an appropriate dose of iron (iron derisomaltose or caboxymaltose) was administered. During the subsequent appointments on week 1, 4, and 12 morphology, iron (Fe), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin, vitamin B12, folic acid, C-reactive protein (CRP), albumins, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Calcium, osteocalcin, phosphate in serum and in urine, parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D3, fibroblast growth factor (iFGF23) and procollagen type 1N propeptide (P1NP) C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), were evaluated. Results: A total of 56 patients were enrolled into the study: 24 women and 32 men. In the group, 32 patients had Crohn’s disease (CD) and 24 had ulcerative colitis (UC). We found a statistically significant increase in the concentration of albumin (p = 0.031), haemoglobin (p < 0.001), haematocrit (p < 0.001), MCV (p < 0.001), MCHC (p = 0.001), iron (p < 0.001) and ferritin (p < 0.001) after the administration of parenteral iron. The influence of individual iron formulations on the analysed parameters (phosphate concentration in serum and in the urine, iFGF23, P1NP, PTH, vitamin D, haemoglobin and ferritin) was similar. Interestingly, an inverse correlation was found between the concentration of phosphorus in the blood and iFGF23 at certain time-points; however, in the study group they did not significantly affect the disturbances of calcium and phosphate metabolism. Conclusions: In the study group, transient and non-significant disorders of phosphate metabolism were found, which does not constitute a contraindication to treatment with parenteral iron in inflammatory bowel disease patients, which was safe and efficient.

Effectiveness and safety of an on-demand ferric carboxymaltose infusion strategy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a real world experience

BACKGROUND

We evaluated an on-demand ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) infusion strategy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

AIMS

The primary outcome was the response rate to single or multiple FCM infusions after 12 months. Secondary outcomes were the response rate to a single FCM infusion after 3 months and the FCM safety profile.

METHODS

We retrospectively included 185 IBD patients who received at least one FCM infusion of 500 mg, between 2015 and 2018. FCM was administered to patients with Hb ≤10 g/dL and hypoferritinemia and repeated according to the physician's assessment. Complete response (CR) was defined as Hb ≥12 g/dL (≥13 g/dL for men) or Hb increase ≥2 g/dL. Partial response (PR) was defined as an Hb increase between 1 and 2 g/dL. A univariate analysis was performed at 3 and 12 months.

RESULTS

After 12 months, the response rate was 75.1% (CR, 48.6%; PR, 26.4%; mean number of FCM infusions, 1.7 ± 1.1). In total 169/185 patients received a single FCM infusion during the first 3 months and 79.2% achieved response (CR, 56.8%; PR, 22.4%). At univariate analysis, no variable was associated with response. No adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

An on-demand strategy was effective and well-tolerated in treating IDA in IBD patients.

Safety profile of intravenous iron in inflammatory bowel disease: an up-to-date overview

Up to 30-70% of patients may experience mild and moderate side effects during iron therapy and this is often associated with a poor adherence to therapy. Anemia is frequent in patients with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), due to both iron deficiency and chronic inflammation, therefore iron supplementation is frequently needed. Considering that gastrointestinal disorders are the most common side effects with oral iron, in IBD patients intravenous administration must be preferred. Although intravenous iron supplementation remains the most effective therapy of IBD-associated iron deficiency anemia, the perception of risk related to intravenous administration by clinicians could limit this successful strategy. In this narrative review we provided an up to date on the safety of the different iron formulations for intravenous administration, by reporting the most recent studies in IBD patients.

Gastroenterologist-Lead Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is Effective, Safe, and May Increase Quality of Life

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness and safety of gastroenterologist (GI)-lead treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have not been well-studied.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of patients with IBD, IDA, and evidence of treatment with iron at a tertiary IBD center was conducted.

RESULTS

In 351 patients, hemoglobin and quality of life scores increased significantly after treatment with iron. Twelve of 341 patients treated with intravenous iron had an adverse effect. Twenty-seven patients required a hematology referral.

CONCLUSION

GIs should consider treating patients with IBD and IDA with intravenous iron as it is safe and effective.

Ferric carboxymaltose in the treatment of iron deficiency in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

Iron deficiency (ID) with or without anemia is a common complication of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), causing significant morbidity. Despite this, ID remains prevalent and undertreated, related in part to questions surrounding optimal formulation and route of administration. Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) is a recent formulation of intravenous iron, allowing higher doses and rapid infusion times. This study aims to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of FCM in paediatric patients with IBD, and explore the differences between patients with active and quiescent disease.

METHODS

Paediatric patients 6-18 years with IBD with iron deficiency (ID) or iron deficiency anemia (IDA) were treated prospectively with FCM at the Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane. Patients received FCM as a single dose of 15 mg/kg up to 1,000 mg over 15-20 min. Biochemical parameters measured prior to and approximately 8 weeks after the infusion were: hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), ferritin, and transferrin saturation (TS). C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured as a marker of co-existing inflammation. Resolution of anemia or ID was assessed following treatment, with adverse events captured.

RESULTS

A total of 101 patients received infusions of FCM during the study period and were analysed, median age 14 (IQR 14-16) years. A total of 44% of patients underwent treatment for IDA, while 56% were for ID without anemia. Following FCM infusion, 64% of patients with IDA had resolution of anemia, with 81% showing resolution for ID without anemia. Elevation of CRP throughout the study period had no influence on resolution of IDA with FCM (P=0.68), but in patients with ID, patients with quiescent disease activity were more likely to have resolution of ID [odds ratios (ORs) 5.1; P=0.03].

CONCLUSIONS

Rapid, high dose FCM in children aged 6 and over is safe, well tolerated and efficacious for correction of ID. Replenishing iron in IBD is important and FCM improves our ability to meet this need.