FIND-CKD: a randomized trial of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose versus oral iron in patients with chronic kidney disease and iron deficiency anaemia

Influence of intravenous iron on bacterial infection risk immediately following kidney transplantation

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplant recipients are at higher risk of infections due to immunosuppression, especially in the perioperative period after receiving induction therapy. Administration of iron has been linked to bacterial infections. This study investigated if receipt of intravenous iron at the time of kidney transplant increased bacterial infections post-transplant.

METHODS

This single-center, retrospective study compared patients who received intravenous iron at the time of kidney transplant to those who did not. Patients were followed for 12 weeks after transplant. The primary outcome was incidence of bacterial infections following transplant; hemoglobin and transfusion needs were also examined.

RESULTS

A total of 416 patients who received intravenous iron were compared to 416 patients who did not. Bacterial infections were similar between groups (14.4% iron group vs. 15.9% non-iron group). Intravenous iron did not influence bacterial infections on univariable or multivariable analyses when other infection confounders were accounted for. Patients who did not receive intravenous iron required more packed red blood cell transfusions in the 3 months following transplantation, but this was driven by factors other than intravenous iron as demonstrated by a post-hoc analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous iron did not increase the risk of bacterial infections in the immediate post-kidney transplant setting. Bacterial infections after transplant were associated with female sex, increasing age at transplant, receipt of transfusions, and increased duration of urinary catheters.

Iron biology

Iron is a fundamental element for biological life, from bacteria to humans. Iron is essential for cell function and survival, energy production and metabolism, whereas increased levels cause oxidative stress. It is also a constituent of haemoglobin and thus it is necessary for oxygen transportation through the body. Given these multiple functions, the regulation of iron metabolism is complex and tight coupled with oxygen homeostasis at tissue and cellular levels, thanks to the interaction with the hypoxia inducible factor system. In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), iron deficiency significantly contributes to anaemia development. This frequently overlaps with chronic inflammation, causing iron- restricted erythropoiesis. To add further complexity, metabolic hyperferritinemia may, on one hand, increase the risk for CKD and, on the other, overlaps with functional iron deficiency. Excessive intracellular iron in certain cell types during CKD can also mediate cellular death (called ferroptosis), and contribute to the pathogenesis of kidney damage, atherosclerosis and vascular calcifications. This review is aimed at broadening the perspective of iron metabolism in the setting of CKD not just as a contributor to anaemia in CKD patients, but also as an important player with an impact on cell metabolism, renal fibrosis and the cardiovascular system.

Transfusion-induced HLA sensitization in wait-list patients and kidney transplant recipients

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) sensitization remains an impediment to successful solid organ transplantation, whether it be chances of receiving a transplant offer or subsequent transplant longevity. Current treatments targeting HLA antibodies lack long-term effectiveness; therefore, preventing HLA sensitization should remain a priority in all potential wait-list candidates and transplant recipients. Recent advances in the management of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease may reduce the need for red cell transfusions. However, data from several anemia intervention studies of novel therapeutic agents have shown that a need for transfusion will remain. It has also been increasingly recognized that blood transfusions following kidney transplantation, especially in the peri-operative period, are common. Routine data on transfusion incidence, indications, and outcomes are not captured by most kidney and transplant registries across the globe. This restricts the evidence to inform both clinicians and patients on the clinical effects of transfusion, which have been considered both an allogeneic stimulus and to be immunomodulatory.This review aims to provide an update on what is currently known about transfusion-induced HLA sensitization in wait-list candidates and transplant recipients, summarizes where evidence is lacking, and demonstrates the distinct need for patient blood management guidelines in the field of kidney transplantation.

Redefining Iron Deficiency in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

A serum ferritin level <15 to 20 μg/L historically identified patients who had absent bone marrow iron stores, but serum ferritin levels are distorted by the systemic inflammatory states seen in patients with chronic kidney disease or heart failure. As a result, nearly 25 years ago, the diagnostic ferritin threshold was increased 5- to 20-fold in patients with chronic kidney disease (ie, iron deficiency was identified if the serum ferritin level was <100 μg/L, regardless of transferrin saturation [TSAT], or 100 to 299 μg/L if TSAT was <20%). This guidance was motivated not by the findings of studies of total body or tissue iron depletion, but by a desire to encourage the use of iron supplements to potentiate the response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in patients with renal anemia. However, in patients with heart failure, this definition does not reliably identify patients with an absolute or functional iron-deficiency state, and it includes individuals with TSATs (≥20%) and serum ferritin levels in the normal range (20-100 mg/L) who are not iron deficient, have an excellent prognosis, and do not respond favorably to iron therapy. Furthermore, serum ferritin levels may be distorted by the use of both neprilysin and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, both of which may act to mobilize endogenous iron stores. The most evidence-based and trial-tested definition of iron deficiency is the presence of hypoferremia, as reflected by as a TSAT <20%. These hypoferremic patients are generally iron deficient on bone marrow examination, and after intravenous iron therapy, they exhibit an improvement in exercise tolerance and functional capacity (when meaningfully impaired) and show the most marked reduction (ie, 20%-30%) in the risk of cardiovascular death or total heart failure hospitalizations. Therefore, we propose that the current ferritin-driven definition of iron deficiency in heart failure should be abandoned and that a definition based on hypoferremia (TSAT <20%) should be adopted.

Advances of Iron and Ferroptosis in Diabetic Kidney Disease

Diabetes mellitus presents a significant threat to human health because it disrupts energy metabolism and gives rise to various complications, including diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Metabolic adaptations occurring in the kidney in response to diabetes contribute to the pathogenesis of DKD. Iron metabolism and ferroptosis, a recently defined form of cell death resulting from iron-dependent excessive accumulation of lipid peroxides, have emerged as crucial players in the progression of DKD. In this comprehensive review, we highlight the profound impact of adaptive and maladaptive responses regulating iron metabolism on the progression of kidney damage in diabetes. We summarize the current understanding of iron homeostasis and ferroptosis in DKD. Finally, we propose that precise manipulation of iron metabolism and ferroptosis may serve as potential strategies for kidney management in diabetes.

Intravenous Iron in Patients Hospitalized with Bacterial Infections: Utilization and Outcomes

Introduction

Given the uncertainties related to IV iron therapy and the potential risk of infection, health care providers may hesitate to use this preparation to treat hospitalized patients with bacterial infections, even if clinically indicated. The aim of this study was to examine patterns of prescribing IV iron in patients who were hospitalized and treated for a bacterial infection, and their associated clinical outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective chart review evaluated adult patients who received both IV iron sucrose and antibiotics during the same admission at Maine Medical Center in 2019. Data collected included iron studies, practices for prescribing IV iron, and clinical outcomes. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics.

Results

A total of 197 patients were evaluated. The median duration of antibiotic therapy was 5(4-9) days. Iron and antibiotic administration overlapped in 153(77.7%) patients, with a mean overlap of 2.7(1-7) days. In the 44 patients without overlap, 20(46%) received IV iron before antibiotics. More than half (57%) of infection types involved urinary tract and respiratory systems. Approximately 2% of patients had antibiotic therapy broadened or duration extended, 7% died, and 16% were readmitted within 30 days of discharge.

Discussion

Prior studies evaluating the risk of infection with IV iron published conflicting results. This is the only study that analyzed outcomes in patients receiving IV iron and antibiotics for infection but not undergoing hemodialysis during a hospital admission. Although our findings support that IV iron treatment is safe among patients with concomitant infection and iron deficiency, this finding may not be the case for all clinical subgroups.

Conclusions

This study showed that when patients were administered IV iron in the setting of acute bacterial infection in our facility, most patients did not have negative outcomes.

Changes of Dissociative Properties of Hemoglobin in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: The ability of hemoglobin to bind and dissociate oxygen is crucial in delivering oxygen to tissues and is influenced by a range of physiological states, compensatory mechanisms, and pathological conditions. This may be illustrated by the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve (ODC). The key parameter for evaluating the oxygen affinity to hemoglobin is p50. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of hemodialysis on p50 in a group of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). An additional goal was to assess the correlation between p50 and the parameters of erythropoiesis, point-of-care testing (POCT), and other laboratory parameters. Methods: One hundred and eighty patients (106 male, 74 female), mean age 62.5 ± 17 years, with CKD stage G4 and G5 were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Patients were divided into two groups, including 65 hemodialysis (HD) patients and 115 patients not receiving dialysis (non-HD). During the standard procedure of arteriovenous fistula creation, blood samples from the artery (A) and the vein (V) were taken for POCT. The causes of CKD, as well as demographic and comorbidity data, were obtained from medical records and direct interviews. Results: The weekly dose of erythropoietin was higher in HD patients than in non-HD patients (4914 ± 2253 UI vs. 403 ± 798 UI, p < 0.01), but hemoglobin levels did not differ between these groups. In the group of non-HD patients, more advanced metabolic acidosis (MA) was found, compared to the group with HD. In arterial and venosus blood samples, the non-HD group had significantly lower pH, pCO2 and HCO3-. This group had a higher proportion of individuals with MA with HCO3- < 22 mmol/L (42% vs. 24%, p < 0.01). The absolute difference of p50 in arterial and venous blood was determined using the formula Δp50 = (p50-A) - (p50-V). Δp50 was significantly higher in the HD group in comparison to non-HD (0.08 ± 2.05 mmHg vs. -0.66 ± 1.93 mmHg, p = 0,02). There was a negative correlation between pH and the p50 value in arterial (pH-A vs. p50-A, r = -0.56, p < 0.01) and venous blood (pH-V vs. p50-V, r = -0.45, p < 0.01). In non-HD patients, hemoglobin levels correlated negatively with p50 (r = -0.29, p < 0.01), whereas no significant relation was found in HD patients. Conclusions: The ODC in pre-dialysis CKD (non-HD) patients is shifted to the right due to MA, and this is an additional factor influencing erythropoiesis. Hemodialysis restores the natural differences in hemoglobin's dissociation characteristics in the arterial and venous circulation.

Can we effectively manage chronic kidney disease with a precision-based pharmacotherapy plan? Where are we?

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, thanks to significant advances in basic science and biotechnologies, nephrology has witnessed a deeper understanding of the mechanisms leading to various conditions associated with or causing kidney disease, opening new perspectives for developing specific treatments. These new possibilities have brought increased challenges to physicians, who face with a new complexity in disease characterization and selection the right treatment for individual patients.

AREAS COVERED

We chose four therapeutic situations: anaemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD), heart failure in CKD, IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and membranous nephropathy (MN). The literature search was made through PubMed.

EXPERT OPINION

Anaemia management remains challenging in CKD; a personalized therapeutic approach is often needed. Identifying patients who could benefit from a specific therapy is also an important goal for patients with CKD and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Several new treatments are under clinical development for IgAN; interestingly, they target specifically the pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease. The understanding of MN pathogenesis as an autoimmune disease and the discovery of several autoantibodies allows a better characterization of patients. High-sensible techniques for lymphocyte counting open the possibility of more personalized use of anti CD20 therapies.

Critical re-evaluation of the identification of iron deficiency states and effective iron repletion strategies in patients with chronic heart failure

According to current guidelines, iron deficiency is defined by a serum ferritin level <100 ng/ml or a transferrin saturation (TSAT) <20% if the serum ferritin level is 100-299 μg/L. These criteria were developed to encourage the use of intravenous iron as an adjunct to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in the treatment of renal anaemia. However, in patients with heart failure, these criteria are not supported by any pathophysiological or clinical evidence that they identify an absolute or functional iron deficiency state. A low baseline TSAT-but not serum ferritin level-appears to be a reliable indicator of the effect of intravenous iron to reduce major heart failure events. In randomized controlled trials, intravenous iron decreased the risk of cardiovascular death or total heart failure hospitalization in patients with a TSAT <20% (risk ratio 0.67 [0.49-0.92]) but not in patients with a TSAT ≥20% (risk ratio 0.99 [0.74-1.30]), with the magnitude of the risk reduction being proportional to the severity of hypoferraemia. Patients who were enrolled in clinical trials solely because they had a serum ferritin level <100 μg/L showed no significant benefit on heart failure outcomes, and it is noteworthy that serum ferritin levels of 20-300 μg/L lie entirely within the range of normal values for healthy adults. Current guidelines reflect the eligibility criteria of clinical trials, which inadvertently adopted unvalidated criteria to define iron deficiency. Reliance on these guidelines would lead to the treatment of many patients who are not iron deficient (serum ferritin level <100 μg/L but normal TSAT) and ignores the possibility of iron deficiency in patients with a low TSAT but with serum ferritin level of >300 μg/L. Importantly, analyses of benefit based on trial eligibility-driven guidelines substantially underestimate the magnitude of heart-failure-event risk reduction with intravenous iron in patients who are truly iron deficient. Based on all available data, we recommend a new mechanism-based and trial-tested approach that reflects the totality of evidence more faithfully than the historical process adopted by clinical investigators and by the guidelines. Until additional evidence is forthcoming, an iron deficiency state in patients with heart failure should be defined by a TSAT <20% (as long as the serum ferritin level is <400 μg/L), and furthermore, the use of a serum ferritin level <100 μg/L alone as a diagnostic criterion should be discarded.

Hypersensitive Reactions During Hemodialysis Treatment: What Do We Need to Know?

Kidney replacement therapies (KRTs) including hemodialysis (HD) are one of the treatment options for most of the patients with end-stage kidney disease. Although HD is vital for these patients, it is not hundred percent physiological, and various adverse events including hypersensitivity reactions may occur. Fortunately, these reactions are rare in total and less when compared to previous decades, but it is still very important for at least two reasons: First, the number of patients receiving kidney replacement treatment is increasing globally; and the cumulative number of these reactions may be substantial. Second, although most of these reactions are mild, some of them may be very severe and even lead to mortality. Thus, it is very important to have basic knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat these reactions. Hypersensitivity reactions can occur at any component of dialysis machinery (access, extracorporeal circuit, medications, etc.). The most important preventive measure is to avoid the allergen. However, even with very specific test, sometimes the allergen cannot be found. In mild conditions, HD can be contained with non-specific treatment (topical creams, antihistaminics, corticosteroids). In more severe conditions, treatment must be stopped immediately, blood should not be returned to patient, drugs must be stopped, and rules of general emergency treatment must be followed.

Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of darbepoetin alfa once every 4 weeks versus continuous erythropoietin receptor activator once every 4 weeks for anemia correction in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis

BACKGROUND

For anemia management in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis, darbepoetin alfa (DA), which has a shorter half-life but is more inexpensive than continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA), is preferred in Korea. This study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of once-in-4-weeks DA compared with once-in-4-weeks CERA in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis.

METHODS

In this randomized, prospective, non-inferiority study, 40 erythropoiesis-stimulating agent-naïve patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis were randomized 1:1 to the DA group and CERA group. They received the study drug once in 4 weeks during 10- or 12-week correction period and 24-week efficacy evaluation period. The primary outcomes were the mean difference in the changes in hemoglobin levels between baseline and efficacy evaluation period and hemoglobin response rates during the correction period. The secondary outcomes included differences in adverse events and costs.

RESULTS

DA was non-inferior to CERA for anemia correction; the mean difference in the change in hemoglobin levels between the groups was -0.070 g/dL (95% confidence interval, -0.730 to 0.590 g/dL). Hemoglobin response rates were 100% with DA and 94.1% with CERA. Adverse events were comparable. The mean cost of DA was approximately one-third that of CERA (34,100 ± 7,600 Korean won/4 weeks vs. 115,500 ± 23,600 Korean won/4 weeks; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Once-in-4-weeks DA safely corrects anemia in erythropoiesis-stimulating agent-naïve patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis and is more cost-effective than once-in-4-weeks CERA.

Anemia in Pregnancy With CKD

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), anemia, and iron deficiency are global health issues affecting individuals in both high-income and low-income countries. In pregnancy, both CKD and iron deficiency anemia increase the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, including increased maternal morbidity and mortality, stillbirth, perinatal death, preterm birth, and low birthweight. However, it is unknown to which extent iron deficiency anemia contributes to adverse outcomes in CKD pregnancy. Furthermore, little is known regarding the prevalence, pathophysiology, and treatment of iron deficiency and anemia in pregnant women with CKD. Therefore, there are many unanswered questions regarding optimal management with oral or i.v. iron and recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) in these women. In this review, we present a short overview of the (patho)physiology of anemia in healthy pregnancy and in people living with CKD. We present an evaluation of the literature on iron deficiency, anemia, and nutritional deficits in pregnant women with CKD; and we evaluate current knowledge gaps. Finally, we propose research priorities regarding anemia in pregnant women with CKD.

Anaemia in CKD-treatment standard

Anaemia is one of the most common complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD), having a significant impact on quality of life, and is also associated with a number of adverse clinical outcomes. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial, caused largely by an inadequate production of erythropoietin from the diseased kidneys, with iron deficiency, inflammation, shortened red cell lifespan and enhanced blood loss also being contributory factors. The management of this condition was transformed in the late 1980s by the advent of recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin), and treatment paradigms have developed over the last three decades, largely focusing on a combination of epoetin or its analogues (erythropoiesis-stimulating agents; ESAs) along with iron supplementation, often administered intravenously due to increased hepcidin levels limiting iron absorption from the gut. Indeed, in patients with early CKD and iron deficiency, iron per se may be sufficient to improve the anaemia, delaying the need for ESA therapy. Other causes of anaemia should be excluded and corrected (if possible) before resorting to treatment with ESAs and iron. More recently, the hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors have entered the therapeutic arena; these are orally active agents that upregulate endogenous erythropoietin production as well as a number of iron-regulatory genes which may also enhance erythropoiesis. The latter drugs are highly efficacious, and may have advantages in inflammatory conditions causing resistance to conventional ESA therapy, but concerns exist regarding their safety, particularly in the longer term. This article reviews the current standards of treatment, as well as recent novel developments in the management of anaemia in CKD.

A meta-analysis of ferric carboxymaltose versus other intravenous iron preparations for the management of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy

Objective

We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials evaluating the clinical effects of ferric carboxymaltose therapy compared to other intravenous iron in improving hemoglobin and serum ferritin in pregnant women. We also assessed the safety of ferric carboxymaltose vs. other intravenous iron.

Data source

EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched for trials related to ferric carboxymaltose in pregnant women, published between 2005 and 2021. We also reviewed articles from google scholar. The keywords "ferric carboxymaltose," "FCM," "intravenous," "randomized," "pregnancy," "quality of life," and "neonatal outcomes" were used to search the literature. The search was limited to pregnant women.

Selection of studies

Studies related to ferric carboxymaltose in pregnancy were scanned. Observational studies, review articles, and case reports were excluded. Randomized studies in pregnant women involving ferric carboxymaltose and other intravenous iron formulations were shortlisted. Of 256 studies, nine randomized control trials were selected.

Data collection

Two reviewers independently extracted data from nine selected trials.

Data synthesis

The final effect size for increase in hemoglobin after treatment was significant for ferric carboxymaltose vs. iron sucrose/iron polymaltose (standard mean difference 0.89g/dl [95% confidence interval 0.27,1.51]). The final effect size for the increase in ferritin after treatment was more for ferric carboxymaltose vs. iron sucrose/iron polymaltose (standard mean difference 22.53µg/L [-7.26, 52.33]). No serious adverse events were reported with ferric carboxymaltose or other intravenous iron.

Conclusion

Ferric carboxymaltose demonstrated better efficacy than other intravenous iron in increasing hemoglobin and ferritin levels in treating iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women.

Cardiorenal syndrome and iron supplementation-more benefits than risks: a narrative review

Intravenous iron administration has emerged as a crucial intervention for managing patients with cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) and iron deficiency, with or without the presence of anemia. Multiple studies have demonstrated the benefits of intravenous iron supplementation in improving anemia, symptoms, and functional capacity in patients with HF and iron deficiency. Furthermore, iron supplementation has been associated with a reduction in hospitalizations for HF exacerbation and the improvement of patients' quality of life and clinical outcomes. In addition to its effects on HF management, emerging evidence suggests a potential positive impact on kidney function in patients with CRS. Studies have shown an increase in estimated glomerular filtration rate and improvements in renal function markers in patients receiving intravenous iron therapy, highlighting the potential of this intervention in patients with CRS. This paper reviews the existing literature on the impact of intravenous iron therapy in these patient populations and explores its effects on various clinical outcomes. Future research endeavors are eagerly awaited to further improve our understanding of its clinical implications and optimize patient outcomes.

Response to oral iron therapy in children with anemia of chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and oral iron is recommended as initial therapy. However, response to iron therapy in children with non-dialysis CKD has not been formally assessed.

METHODS

We reviewed medical records of pediatric patients with stages II-IV CKD followed in two New York metropolitan area medical centers between 2010 and 2020 and identified subjects who received oral iron therapy. Response to therapy at follow-up visits was assessed by improvement of hemoglobin, resolution of anemia by the 2012 KDIGO definition, and changes in iron status. Potential predictors of response were examined using regression analyses (adjusted for age, sex, eGFR, and center).

RESULTS

Study criteria were met by 65 children (median age 12 years, 35 males) with a median time between visits of 81 days. Median eGFR was 44 mL/min/1.73 m2, and 40.7% had glomerular CKD etiology. Following iron therapy, hemoglobin improved from 10.2 to 10.8 g/dL (p < 0.001), hematocrit from 31.3 to 32.8% (p < 0.001), serum iron from 49 to 66 mcg/dL (p < 0.001), and transferrin saturation from 16 to 21.4% (p < 0.001). There was no significant change in serum ferritin (55.0 to 44.9 ng/mL). Anemia (defined according to KDIGO) resolved in 29.3% of children. No improvement in hemoglobin/hematocrit was seen in 35% of children, and no transferrin saturation improvement in 26.9%. There was no correlation between changes in hemoglobin and changes in transferrin saturation/serum iron, but there was an inverse correlation between changes in hemoglobin and changes in ferritin. The severity of anemia and alkaline phosphatase at baseline inversely correlated with treatment response.

CONCLUSIONS

Anemia was resistant to 3 months of oral iron therapy in ~ 30% of children with CKD. Children with more severe anemia at baseline had better treatment response, calling for additional studies to refine approaches to iron therapy in children with anemia of CKD and to identify additional predictors of treatment response.

Iron-deficiency Anemia Treatment with Ferric Carboxymaltose: A Real-world Quasi-experimental Study from Bangladesh

Gastrointestinal bleeding is the most common cause of iron deficiency in adult men and menstrual blood loss is the leading cause of iron insufficiency in women, anemia due to iron deficiency is mostly caused by blood loss. Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) is a contemporary parenteral iron formulation that may be used therapeutically to treat anemia caused by an iron deficiency [iron-deficiency anemia (IDA)]. The main goal of the trial was to evaluate FCM's safety and efficacy in treating IDA. The Department of Hematology, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Rajshahi, Bangladesh participated in this quasi-experimental research, which comprised adult patients with IDA. Participants were given an intravenous (IV) infusion of 500 mg of FCM, diluted in 100 mL of 0.9% normal saline, throughout a 30-minute period after their participation. The second dosage of FCM was administered after a 7-day period of the first dose. The comparison of the outcomes [hemoglobin (Hb) level, serum ferritin level, and other hematological parameters] between the baseline and day 14 postintervention was done using a paired t-test. Compared to baseline, patients' Hb levels rose considerably (p = 0.001) after FCM. Aside from serum ferritin level, additional hematological parameters that sharply increased were red blood cells (RBCs) count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red cell distribution width - coefficient of variation (RDW-CV), and iron indicators. The experiment recorded mild adverse effects such as fever, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues including vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, but no significant adverse events. In summary, IDA may be effectively treated with FCM, a safe and secure IV medication that has no major negative effects.

How to cite this article

Miah MMZ, Pramanik MEA, Rafi A, et al. Iron-deficiency Anemia Treatment with Ferric Carboxymaltose: A Real-world Quasi-experimental Study from Bangladesh. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2024;14(1):12-15.

Functional iron deficiency anemia was associated with higher mortality in chronic kidney disease patients: the NHANES III follow-up study

Anemia, a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD), is associated with poor prognosis. However, it is not completely clear whether this association is caused by anemia per se or other comorbidities. Whether different types of iron deficiency anemia can predict the outcomes of CKD remains unclear. The dataset from NHANES III was analyzed and Cox multivariate regression models and propensity score matching (PSM) method were used to evaluate the effect of anemia on mortality. Of 4103 patients with CKD, 14.6% had anemia. Among those with anemia, 38.8% had absolute iron deficiency (AID), and 19.8% had functional iron deficiency (FID). During the median follow-up time of 13.8 years, 2964 deaths and 804 cardiovascular deaths were observed. Anemia was robustly associated with a high risk of all-cause mortality in CKD patients after adjusting covariates by two multivariate regression models (Model 1: HR = 1.485, 95%CI:1.340-1.647, p < 0.001; Model 2: HR = 1.391, 95%CI:1.250-1.546, p < 0.001). In the PSM cohort, anemia was still an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality (Model 1: HR = 1.443, 95%CI: 1.256-1.656, p < 0.001; Model 2: HR = 1.357, 95%CI:1.177-1.564, p < 0.001). In the CKD population, anemia patients with FID had the highest risk of mortality than the other anemia groups (p < 0.05), while AID had a mortality rate similar to those without anemia (p > 0.05). In conclusion, anemia was associated with a worse prognosis in patients with CKD, which may be attributed to the higher mortality risk of FID rather than AID. AID wasn't associated with a higher mortality rate compared with CKD patients without anemia.

Opportunities to improve the management of anemia in peritoneal dialysis patients: lessons from a national study in routine clinical practice

Background

Current guidelines establish the same hemoglobin (Hb) and iron biomarkers targets for hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) in patients receiving erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) even though patients having PD are usually younger, more active and less comorbid. Unfortunately, specific renal anemia [anemia in chronic kidney disease (aCKD)] trials or observational studies on PD are scanty. The aims of this study were to describe current aCKD management, goals and adherence to clinical guidelines, identifying opportunities for healthcare improvement in PD patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective, nationwide, multicentre study including patients from 19 PD units. The nephrologists collected baseline data, demographics, comorbidities and data related to anemia management (laboratory values, previously prescribed treatments and subsequent adjustments) from electronic medical records. The European adaptation of KDIGO guidelines was the reference for definitions, drug prescriptions and targets.

Results

A total of 343 patients (mean age 62.9 years, 61.2% male) were included; 72.9% were receiving ESAs and 33.2% iron therapy [20.7% intravenously (IV)]. Eighty-two patients were receiving ESA without iron therapy, despite 53 of them having an indication according to the European Renal Best Practice guidelines. After laboratory results, iron therapy was only started in 15% of patients. Among ESA-treated patients, 51.9% had an optimal control [hemoglobin (Hb) 10-12 g/dL] and 28.3% between 12-12.9 g/dL. Seventeen patients achieved Hb >13 g/dL, and 12 of them remained on ESA after overshooting. Only three patients had Hb <10 g/dL without ESAs. Seven patients (2%) met criteria for ESA resistance (epoetin dose >300 IU/kg/week). The highest tertile of erythropoietin resistance index (>6.3 UI/kg/week/g/dL) was associated with iron deficiency and low albumin corrected by renal replacement therapy vintage and hospital admissions in the previous 3 months.

Conclusion

Iron therapy continues to be underused (especially IV). Low albumin, iron deficiency and prior events explain most of the ESA hyporesponsiveness. Hb targets are titrated to/above the upper limits. Thus, several missed opportunities for adequate prescriptions and adherence to guidelines were identified.

Seven-Year Single-Center Experience of the Efficacy and Safety of Ferric Carboxymaltose in Cancer Patients with Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Anemia remains an essential concern affecting the quality of life and the survival of cancer patients. Although there are different approaches to treating anemia in cancer patients, the number of studies reporting the efficacy of iron replacement in cancer patients is limited. In this study, the efficacy and safety of iron carboxymaltose, a parenteral iron treatment option, in the treatment of anemia, were examined retrospectively. A total of 1102 adult patients who received IV ferric carboxymaltose treatment at Hacettepe Oncology Hospital between 2014 and 2020 were included. The mean hemoglobin change observed at the end of the 12th week was 1.8 g/dL, and the rate of patients with an increase in hemoglobin of 1 g/dL or more was 72.1%. It was observed that the treatment demonstrated effectiveness in patients receiving active cancer treatment in all tumor types. The treatment was generally safe, and no grade 3-5 side effects were observed in the patients included in the study. According to one of the most extensive series published in the literature, iron carboxymaltose is an efficient and safe alternative for cancer patients with iron-deficiency anemia.

Novel Approaches in Chronic Renal Failure without Renal Replacement Therapy: A Review

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by renal parenchymal damage leading to a reduction in the glomerular filtration rate. The inflammatory response plays a pivotal role in the tissue damage contributing to renal failure. Current therapeutic options encompass dietary control, mineral salt regulation, and management of blood pressure, blood glucose, and fatty acid levels. However, they do not effectively halt the progression of renal damage. This review critically examines novel therapeutic avenues aimed at ameliorating inflammation, mitigating extracellular matrix accumulation, and fostering renal tissue regeneration in the context of CKD. Understanding the mechanisms sustaining a proinflammatory and profibrotic state may offer the potential for targeted pharmacological interventions. This, in turn, could pave the way for combination therapies capable of reversing renal damage in CKD. The non-replacement phase of CKD currently faces a dearth of efficacious therapeutic options. Future directions encompass exploring vaptans as diuretics to inhibit water absorption, investigating antifibrotic agents, antioxidants, and exploring regenerative treatment modalities, such as stem cell therapy and novel probiotics. Moreover, this review identifies pharmaceutical agents capable of mitigating renal parenchymal damage attributed to CKD, targeting molecular-level signaling pathways (TGF-β, Smad, and Nrf2) that predominate in the inflammatory processes of renal fibrogenic cells.

An Unusually Prolonged Case of FGF23-mediated Hypophosphatemia Secondary to Ferric Carboxymaltose Use

Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM)-induced hypophosphatemia is seen in up to 75% of patients receiving this therapy for iron deficiency anemia. Hypophosphatemia has been attributed to increased circulating levels of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23), the transcription of which is upregulated in an iron-deficient state. However, hypophosphatemia typically resolves within 12 weeks of FCM administration. Here, we present a case of unusually prolonged hypophosphatemia that developed after treatment with FCM in a 39-year-old female with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) but normal renal function. Workup was significant for low tubular reabsorption of phosphate and inappropriately normal FGF23. Genetic disorders of hypophosphatemia and a FGF23-secreting tumor were ruled out. Treatment with calcitriol was required for nearly 3.5 years. The prolonged hypophosphatemia was attributed to underlying ADPKD because these patients demonstrate inappropriately elevated FGF23 levels for the degree of severity of reduced glomerular filtration rate. However, the stimulus driving FGF23 secretion in these patients is incompletely understood. Elevated FGF23 in the kidney suppresses renal tubular phosphate reabsorption and 1α-hydroxylase activity ultimately leading to hypophosphatemia. We conclude that our patient was at a high risk of developing hypophosphatemia because of underlying ADPKD, and FCM was the likely precipitant to identify this underlying process.

Unresolved aspects in the management of renal anemia, a Delphi consensus of the Anemia Group of the S.E.N

Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with a decrease in quality of life and an increased risk of transfusions, morbidity and mortality, and progression of CKD. The Anemia Working Group of the Sociedad Española de Nefrología conducted a Delphi study among experts in anemia in CKD to agree on relevant unanswered questions by existing evidence. The RAND/UCLA consensus methodology was used. We defined 15 questions with a PICO structure, followed by a review in scientific literature databases. Statements to each question were developed based on that literature review. Nineteen experts evaluated them using an iterative Two-Round Delphi-like process. Sixteen statements were agreed in response to 8 questions related to iron deficiency and supplementation with Fe (impact and management of iron deficiency with or without anemia, iron deficiency markers, safety of i.v. iron) and 7 related to erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) and/or hypoxia-inducible factor stabilizers (HIF), reaching consensus on all of them (individualization of the Hb objective, impact and management of resistance to ESA, ESA in the immediate post-transplant period and HIF stabilizers: impact on ferrokinetics, interaction with inflammation and cardiovascular safety). There is a need for clinical studies addressing the effects of correction of iron deficiency independently of anemia and the impact of anemia treatment with various ESA on quality of life, progression of CKD and cardiovascular events.

Mitochondrial iron regulation as an emerging target in ischemia/reperfusion injury during kidney transplantation

The injury caused by ischemia and subsequent reperfusion (I/R) is inevitable during kidney transplantation and its current management remains unsatisfactory. Iron is considered to play a remarkable pathologic role in the initiation or progression of tissue damage induced by I/R, whereas the effects of iron-related therapy remain controversial owing to the complicated nature of iron's involvement in multiple biological processes. A significant portion of the cellular iron is located in the mitochondria, which exerts a central role in the development and progression of I/R injury. Recent studies of iron regulation associated with mitochondrial function represents a unique opportunity to improve our knowledge on the pathophysiology of I/R injury. However, the molecular mechanisms linking mitochondria to the iron homeostasis remain unclear. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the alterations to iron metabolism in I/R injury during kidney transplantation, analyze the current understanding of mitochondrial regulation of iron homeostasis and discussed its potential application in I/R injury. The elucidation of regulatory mechanisms regulating mitochondrial iron homeostasis will offer valuable insights into potential therapeutic targets for alleviating I/R injury with the ultimate aim of improving kidney graft outcomes, with potential implications that could also extend to acute kidney injury or other I/R injuries.

Comparison of two ferritin assay platforms to assess their level of agreement in measuring serum and plasma ferritin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Ferritin levels are used to make decisions on therapy of iron deficiency in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hyperferritinaemia, common among patients with CKD from the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia, makes use of ferritin levels as per clinical guidelines challenging. No gold standard assay exists for measuring ferritin levels. Significant variability between results from different assays creates challenges for clinical decision-making regarding iron therapy. In the NT, different laboratories use different methods. In 2018, Territory Pathology changed the assay from Abbott ARCHITECT i1000 (AA) to Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Vitros 7600 (OCD). This was during the planning of the INtravenous iron polymaltose for First Nations Australian patients with high FERRitin levels on haemodialysis (INFERR) clinical trial. The trial design was based on AA assay ferritin levels. We compared the two assays' level of agreement in measuring ferritin levels in CKD patients.

METHODS

Samples from INFERR clinical trial participants were analysed. Other samples from patients whose testing were completed the same day on OCD analyzers and run within 24 h on AA analyzers were added to ensure wide range of ferritin levels, adding statistical strength to the comparison. Ferritin levels from both assays were compared using Pearson's correlation, Bland-Altman, Deming and Passing-Bablok regression analyses. Differences between sample types, plasma and serum were assessed.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight and 111 (179) samples from different patients from Central Australia and Top End of Australia, respectively, were analyzed separately and in combination. The ferritin levels ranged from 3.1 µg/L to 3354 µg/L and 3 µg/L to 2170 µg/L for AA and OCD assays respectively. Using Bland-Altman, Deming and Passing-Bablok regression methods for comparison, ferritin results were consistently 36% to 44% higher with AA than OCD assays. The bias was up to 49%. AA ferritin results were the same in serum and plasma. However, OCD ferritin results were 5% higher in serum than plasma.

CONCLUSIONS

When making clinical decisions, using ferritin results from the same assay in patients with CKD is critical. If the assay is changed, it is essential to assess agreement between results from the new and old assays. Further studies to harmonize ferritin assays are required.

Clinical factors for predicting cardiovascular risk, need for renal replacement therapy, and mortality in patients with non-dialysis-dependent stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease from the Salford Kidney Study

BACKGROUND

Established cardiovascular risk assessment tools lack chronic kidney disease-specific clinical factors and may underestimate cardiovascular risk in non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a cohort of patients with stage 3-5 non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease in the Salford Kidney Study (UK, 2002-2016) was performed. Multivariable Cox regression models with backward selection and repeated measures joint models were used to evaluate clinical risk factors associated with cardiovascular events (individual and composite cardiovascular major adverse cardiovascular events), mortality (all-cause and cardiovascular-specific), and need for renal replacement therapy. Models were established using 70% of the cohort and validated on the remaining 30%. Hazard ratios ([95% CIs]) were reported.

RESULTS

Among 2192 patients, mean follow-up was 5.6 years. Cardiovascular major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 422 (19.3%) patients; predictors included prior history of diabetes (1.39 [1.13-1.71]; P = 0.002) and serum albumin reduction of 5 g/L (1.20 [1.05-1.36]; P = 0.006). All-cause mortality occurred in 740 (33.4%) patients, median time to death was 3.8 years; predictors included reduction of estimated glomerular filtration of 5 mL/min/1.73 m² (1.05 [1.01-1.08]; P = 0.011) and increase of phosphate of 0.1 mmol/L (1.04 [1.01-1.08]; P = 0.021), whereas a 10 g/L hemoglobin increase was protective (0.90 [0.85-0.95]; P < 0.001). In 394 (18.0%) patients who received renal replacement therapy, median time to event was 2.3 years; predictors included halving of estimated glomerular filtration rate (3.40 [2.65-4.35]; P < 0.001) and antihypertensive use (1.23 [1.12-1.34]; P < 0.001). Increasing age, albumin reduction, and prior history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease were risk factors for all outcomes except renal replacement therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Several chronic kidney disease-specific cardiovascular risk factors were associated with increased mortality and cardiovascular event risk in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease.

Sucrosomial® Iron: An Updated Review of Its Clinical Efficacy for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are highly prevalent worldwide. Oral iron salts, especially ferrous sulfate, are commonly used for the treatment of iron deficiency (ID). However, its use is associated with gastrointestinal side effects, thus compromising treatment compliance. Intravenous iron administration is a more costly and logistically complex alternative and is not risk-free, as infusion and hypersensitivity reactions may occur. Sucrosomial^® iron is an oral formulation consisting of ferric pyrophosphate conveyed by a phospholipid and sucrester matrix (sucrosome^®). Intestinal Sucrosomial^® iron absorption is mediated by enterocytes and M cells, through the paracellular and transcellular routes, and occurs mostly as intact particles. These pharmacokinetic properties of Sucrosomial^® iron result in higher iron intestinal absorption and excellent gastrointestinal tolerance compared to oral iron salts. The evidence derived from clinical studies supports the use of Sucrosomial^® iron as a valid first option for the treatment of ID and IDA, especially for subjects who are intolerant or refractory to conventional iron salts. Newer evidence also demonstrates the effectiveness of Sucrosomial^® iron, with a lower cost and fewer side effects, in certain conditions usually treated with IV iron in current clinical practice.

Managing Anemia: Point of Convergence for Heart Failure and Chronic Kidney Disease?

The pathologic triangle formed by chronic heart failure (HF), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and anemia carries high morbidity and mortality rates and decreases quality of life. Anemia represents a common condition in patients with advanced HF and CKD, with a total prevalence in cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) ranging from 5% to 55%. Searching for a pragmatic approach for these patients with guided and disease-specific recommendations beyond just targeted hemoglobin therapeutic behavior represents the core of research for ongoing clinical trials. It is well known that the prevalence of anemia increases with the advancement of CKD and HF. The physiopathological mechanisms of anemia, such as the reduction of endogenous erythropoietin and the decrease in oxygen transport, are leading to tissue hypoxia, peripheral vasodilation, stimulating neurohormonal activity, and maintenance of the progressive renal and cardiac dysfunction. Given the challenges with the treatment options for patients with cardiorenal anemia syndrome (CRSA), new therapeutic agents such as hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase domain inhibitors (HIF-PH) or hepcidin antagonists are emerging in the light of recent research. This review summarizes the potential therapeutic tools for anemia therapy in the cardiorenal population.

Iron Deficiency and Iron Deficiency Anemia: Potential Risk Factors in Bone Loss

Iron is one of the essential mineral elements for the human body and this nutrient deficiency is a worldwide public health problem. Iron is essential in oxygen transport, participates in many enzyme systems in the body, and is an important trace element in maintaining basic cellular life activities. Iron also plays an important role in collagen synthesis and vitamin D metabolism. Therefore, decrease in intracellular iron can lead to disturbance in the activity and function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, resulting in imbalance in bone homeostasis and ultimately bone loss. Indeed, iron deficiency, with or without anemia, leads to osteopenia or osteoporosis, which has been revealed by numerous clinical observations and animal studies. This review presents current knowledge on iron metabolism under iron deficiency states and the diagnosis and prevention of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). With emphasis, studies related to iron deficiency and bone loss are discussed, and the potential mechanisms of iron deficiency leading to bone loss are analyzed. Finally, several measures to promote complete recovery and prevention of iron deficiency are listed to improve quality of life, including bone health.

Efficiency of ferric carboxymaltose in non-dialysis CKD patients and its impact on kidney function: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Iron deficiency anemia occurs in most patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD). Previous studies have suggested that intravenous (IV) iron therapy is more effective than oral iron in these patients. Clinical evidence relating the effects of IV iron on renal function is, however, limited.

METHODS

Prospective observational study of adult patients with ND-CKD, anemia, iron deficiency, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m², treated with a single dose of 500 mg or 1000 mg of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) and followed-up for 24 weeks. Primary outcome was FCM efficacy, assessed by comparing Hb, TSAT and ferritin at 24 weeks with those at baseline. Secondary outcome was FCM impact on renal function, evaluated by comparing eGFR over the same period.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty patients were recruited: seventy-eight (55.7%) were treated with 1000 mg and 62 (44.3%) with 500 mg of FCM. 24 weeks after FCM administration, Hb increased 1.54 ± 1.99 g/dL (95% CI 1.09-1.99, p = 001) in the group treated with 1000 mg and 0.86 ± 1.4 g/dL (95% CI 0.53-1.22, p = 0.001) in those treated with 500 mg. TSAT increased in both groups but more in those treated with 1000 mg, and ferritin only increased in the latter. Estimated GFR showed a significant increase of 1.55 ± 6.86 mL/min/m² (95% CI 0.05-3.09, p = 0.049), from a baseline of 27.73 ± 17.23 to 28.88 ± 18.02 mL/min/m² in the group treated with 1000 mg.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggested that IV FCM therapy was effective in improving serum iron levels and anemia in ND-CKD stage 3 to 5 patients. Higher doses seem to be necessary to replace depleted iron stores. In our cohort, IV FCM therapy was associated with an improvement in renal function, particularly in those treated with higher doses of FCM.

Effect of Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose on Exercise Capacity After Kidney Transplantation (EFFECT-KTx): rationale and study protocol for a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Iron deficiency (ID) is common and has been associated with an excess mortality risk in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). In patients with chronic heart failure and ID, intravenous iron improves exercise capacity and quality of life. Whether these beneficial effects also occur in KTRs is unknown. The main objective of this trial is to address whether intravenous iron improves exercise tolerance in iron-deficient KTRs.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The Effect of Ferric Carboxymaltose on Exercise Capacity after Kidney Transplantation study is a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial that will include 158 iron-deficient KTRs. ID is defined as plasma ferritin <100 µg/L or plasma ferritin 100-299 µg/L with transferrin saturation <20%. Patients are randomised to receive 10 mL of ferric carboxymaltose (50 mg Fe³⁺/mL, intravenously) or placebo (0.9% sodium chloride solution) every 6 weeks, four dosages in total. The primary endpoint is change in exercise capacity, as quantified by the 6 min walk test, between the first study visit and the end of follow-up, 24 weeks later. Secondary endpoints include changes in haemoglobin levels and iron status, quality of life, systolic and diastolic heart function, skeletal muscle strength, bone and mineral parameters, neurocognitive function and safety endpoints. Tertiary (explorative) outcomes are changes in gut microbiota and lymphocyte proliferation and function.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The protocol of this study has been approved by the medical ethical committee of the University Medical Centre Groningen (METc 2018/482;) and is being conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials checklist and the Good Clinical Practice guidelines provided by the International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use. Study results will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03769441.

Ferric Derisomaltose Evaluation in Patients with Non-Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease or Peritoneal Dialysis

Background

Iron deficiency anemia is common in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Ferric derisomaltose (FDI) enables iron repletion in a single dose, unlike other forms of iron for IV administration, which require multiple doses. Protocols are commonly used with other IV irons, but there are limited Canadian data for FDI, and no protocol exists.

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of FDI for patients with CKD and to ascertain information related to its use in Canadian provinces.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study involved patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD (NDD-CKD) and patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) who received FDI in a tertiary hospital in Nova Scotia between June 2020 and May 2021. Each patient was followed for a minimum of 6 months. The efficacy outcomes were the changes from baseline in hemoglobin, transferrin saturation (TSAT), and ferritin after the first dose of FDI and at 3 and 6 months. The safety outcomes were the frequency and types of adverse reactions to FDI. Electronic surveys were sent to 33 Canadian renal pharmacists to gather information about FDI use, dosing, administration, monitoring, funding, and safety in their respective organizations.

Results

A total of 52 infusions were administered to 35 patients during the study period. The median times between doses 1 and 2 and between doses 2 and 3 were 19.1 and 6.6 weeks, respectively. The median change from baseline to first post-FDI follow-up blood work was significant for hemoglobin (9.0 g/L, p = 0.023), TSAT (11 percentage points, p < 0.001), and ferritin (271.4 μg/L, p < 0.001). Median darbepoetin doses decreased from baseline to 6 months (p < 0.001). Three adverse reactions occurred. At least 15 (65%) of the 23 survey respondents reported that FDI was funded by their province or was listed on their hospital drug formulary.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that FDI is an effective and safe treatment for anemia in NDD-CKD and PD patients.

A randomized trial of once daily versus twice daily dosing of oral iron in CKD

We investigated the effect of two dosing regimens of oral iron on iron status and hematological parameters in patients with CKD. In this single center, open label, randomized, active controlled clinical trial, stable adult patients with CKD stage G3-4 with percentage transferrin saturation (%TSAT) ≤ 30% and serum ferritin ≤ 500 ng/ml were eligible. Participants were randomized to receive either 100 mg of ferrous ascorbate once daily (OD group) or 100 mg of ferrous ascorbate twice daily (BD group, total daily dose 200 mg). The primary outcome was change in %TSAT between groups over 12 weeks. The secondary outcomes were changes in other iron status and hematological parameters, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and hepcidin. 80 participants were enrolled out of which 76 completed the study. Change in %TSAT was not significantly different between groups (β = - 1.43, 95% CI - 3.99 to 1.12, BD group as reference). The rise in serum ferritin was less in the OD group as compared to BD group (β = - 0.36, 95% CI - 0.61 to - 0.10) whereas MCHC increased in the OD group as compared to decrease in the BD group (β = 0.37, 95% CI 0.067-0.67). These observations need exploration to ascertain the impact of different oral iron dosing strategies in CKD.

Benefits and risks of essential trace elements in chronic kidney disease: a narrative review

Background and Objective

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important public health concern. With the decline of renal function, CKD patients gradually progress to end-stage kidney disease and need to undergo dialysis or kidney transplantation to maintain life, bringing a heavy economic burden to the family and society. Therefore, it is necessary to effectively prevent and delay the progression of CKD. Essential trace elements play an indispensable role in CKD, and the objective of this study is to systematically review their benefits in the disease and summarize the risks of their excess.

Methods

The keywords "trace elements", "chronic kidney disease", "dialysis", "inflammation", and "fibrosis" and their combinations were used to search for relevant literature published in the PubMed database and Web of Science. We then summarized the role of trace element abnormalities in CKD patients in anemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and chronic fibrosis, and the risk of their excess.

Key Content and Findings

Imbalance of essential trace elements is a common complication of CKD and a risk factor for CKD progression, cardiovascular events, and death. This article reviews the effects of essential trace elements (iron, zinc, selenium, copper, iodine, and manganese) on CKD. We analyze literature and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various essential trace elements.

Conclusions

Research shows CKD patients have an imbalance of essential trace elements, and treatment based on these is an important direction for future exploration. A knowledge of the homeostasis of trace elements is important to improving the prognosis of CKD patients and delaying the progression of the disease.

Innovations thérapeutiques dans la prise en charge de l’anémie de la maladie rénale chronique Therapeutic innovations in the management of chronic kidney disease-associated anemia

Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The insufficient erythropoietin (EPO) production by the kidneys and iron deficiency are the main causes. Iron supplementation and the administration of recombinant EPO are the main treatment modalities. New iron formulations that can be administered orally, intravenously or directly via the dialysate have recently been developed to improve efficacy and tolerance. Ferric citrate administered orally can effectively corrects anemia in case of iron deficiency and in addition chelate phosphate in the gut lumen. Ferric carboxymaltose allows intravenous administration of larger doses given less frequently. Ferric pyrophosphate citrate administered directly via the dialysate allows the compensation of iron losses during the hemodialysis session. HIF-prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitors are a new therapeutic class of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Orally administered, they act by stabilizing the HIF transcription factor involved in the initiation of erythropoietin production by hypoxia. Several clinical studies have recently evaluated these new molecules in comparison with recombinant EPO. In CKD patients not yet on dialysis or undergoing dialysis therapy non-inferiority in correcting anemia has been demonstrated compared with recombinant EPO. The decrease in circulating hepcidin they induce appears greater than that induced by injectable recombinant EPO. Presently available reports on the safety of HIF-prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitors are reassuring but need to be confirmed in longer-term studies of larger size. © 2022 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of Société francophone de néphrologie, dialyse et transplantation.

[Management of iron deficiency in chronic kidney disease: Review and proposed algorithm]

Iron deficiency is very common in chronic kidney disease, even before the dialysis stage. It is an independent factor of morbidity and mortality in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease. During chronic kidney disease, iron deficiency is defined by a transferrin saturation <20% and/or a serum ferritin <100 μg/L. In France, about half of non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients have absolute iron deficiency (transferrin saturation <20% and serum ferritin <100 μg/L) and/or functional iron deficiency (transferrin saturation <20% and serum ferritin >100 μg/L). Despite this, iron deficiency is usually not investigated. In fact, more than 60% of nephrologists do not assess iron status at least once a year. In addition, iron deficiency is rarely treated: only 12% of patients are prescribed oral or intravenous iron. Early detection and treatment are fundamental and should be systematic. In order to help improve the management of iron deficiency among non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients, we propose an algorithm that takes into account current recommendations and the most recent data from the literature. Initial blood test requires the measurement of hemoglobin concentration, transferrin saturation and serum ferritin. A transferrin saturation <20% establishes the diagnosis of iron deficiency and the serum ferritin level points towards an absolute or functional deficiency. The combination of both values makes it possible to adapt the treatment, particularly in an inflammatory context where oral iron is not effective.

Safety of Intravenous Iron in CKD Stage 3-5 Patients Not on Dialysis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

Iron deficiency is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients not on dialysis (ND). Restoring depleted iron stores through intravenous (IV) route is faster and associated with less side effects. There is conflicting data regarding intravenous iron use and its impact on clinical outcomes in this population.

Objective

This study aims at evaluating any negative clinical impact associated with IV iron use in CKD patients at stages (3-5) before dialysis.

Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting and Population

Chart analysis of ND CKD 3-5 (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 mL/min/1.73 m²) patients who received IV iron between January 2013 and January 2018 in 3 major hospitals in Kuwait.

Methods

Outcomes analyzed were rates of all-cause hospitalizations, infection-related hospitalizations, mortality rates, and eGFR decline over 12 months after IV iron infusion in this population divided into 3 groups according to CKD stage.

Results

A total of 738 patients were included in our analysis. Mean initial hemoglobin concentration was 111.5 ± 15.0 g/L in group 1 (CKD 3: eGFR 30-59 mL/min/1.73 m²), 103.6 ± 17.7 g/L in group 2 (CKD 4: eGFR 15-29 mL/min/1.73 m²), and 99.4 ± 14.5 g/L in group 3 (CKD 5: eGFR < 15 mL/min/1.73 m² but not on dialysis). All-cause hospitalization and infection-related hospitalization were more common among group 3 subjects (adjusted odds ratio =2.12 [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.32-3.41] and 2.02 [95% CI: 1.15-3.55]), respectively. No deaths occurred during 12 months of follow-up.

Limitations

Lack of control group, retrospective study.

Conclusion

Intravenous iron use in CKD 3-5 ND is generally safe. Higher hospitalization rates in patients with eGFR <30 mL/min are possibly associated with lower baseline hemoglobin, lower baseline eGFR, and higher comorbidity burden, and not related to iron infusion.

Anemia and iron in internal medicine: an Italian survey and a review on iron intravenous therapy in medical patients

In Italy, Internal Medicine Units hospitalize approximately 1,300,000 patients, often elderly and comorbid. The prevalent diagnoses are respiratory diseases, heart failure, or pneumonia. As a matter of fact, anemia is probably underestimated in the compilation of the official discharge forms (SDO) according to ICD-9 diagnostic codes. We promoted a survey among the Members the Italian Scientific Society of Internal Medicine (FADOI) with the aim to investigate the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency, over than certain aspects related to the therapeutic management of patients with anemia. Furthermore, we performed a review summarizing current evidence for iron intravenous therapy in these patients. According to the survey, anemia is present in around half of the patients hospitalized in Internal Medicine, and about a quarter of them shows iron metabolism alterations. In the evaluation of iron metabolism, the dosage of ferritin is the most requested exam, whereas transferrin saturation is less considered. By focusing on some categories of patients, the awareness of the usefulness of intravenous iron therapy in patients with heart failure seems to be sufficiently common (76% of physicians), while it seems lower (60%) in the management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and anemia. Finally, more than 75% of the physicians answered that, in their hospital, there are few outpatients’ offices or diagnostic pathways dedicated to patients with anemia. Anemia due to absolute or functional iron deficiency is particularly prevalent in Internal Medicine inpatients. For this reason, an accurate evaluation of iron profile and an adequate iron therapy is mandatory in these patients. Recent studies show that, in patients with heart failure, intravenous iron therapy is an effective way of improving patients’ health, regardless of the presence of anemia. Similarly, iron therapy results fundamental to optimize erythropoiesis-stimulating agent efficacy in patients with chronic renal failure. In the next future, other therapeutic aspects of intravenous iron therapy will be probably clarified by several interesting ongoing studies focused on these patients.

Iron deficiency screening is a key issue in chronic inflammatory diseases: A call to action

Iron deficiency is frequent in patients with chronic inflammatory conditions (e.g., chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, cancers, and bowel inflammatory diseases). Indeed, high concentrations of inflammatory cytokines increase hepcidin concentrations that lead to the sequestration of iron in cells of the reticuloendothelial system (functional iron deficiency). Iron parameters are often assessed only in the context of anemia, but iron deficiency, even without anemia, is present in about half of patients with inflammatory conditions. Iron deficiency worsens underlying chronic diseases and is an independent factor of morbidity and mortality. In daily practice, the most effective biomarkers of iron status are serum ferritin, which reflects iron storage, and transferrin saturation, which reflects the transport of iron. Serum ferritin is increased in an inflammatory context, and there is still no consensus on the threshold to be used in chronic inflammatory conditions. Nevertheless, recent recommendations of international guidelines agreed to define iron deficiency by serum ferritin &lt;100 µg/L and/or transferrin saturation &lt;20%. Iron parameters remain, however, insufficiently assessed in patients with chronic inflammatory conditions. Indeed, clinical symptoms of iron deficiency, such as fatigue, are not specific and often confused with those of the primary disease. Iron repletion, preferably by the intravenous route to bypass tissue sequestration, improves clinical signs and quality of life. Because of the negative impact of iron deficiency on chronic inflammatory diseases and the efficacy of intravenous iron repletion, screening of iron parameters should be part of the routine examination of all patients with chronic inflammatory diseases.

Efficacy, Safety and Pharmacoeconomic Analysis of Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose in Anemic Hemodialysis Patients Unresponsive to Ferric Gluconate Treatment: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Patients undergoing hemodialysis with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) receiving treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) who were intolerant or non-responsive to intravenous (i.v.) ferric gluconate (FG) (hemoglobin; Hb values < 10.5 g/dL or increase in <1 g/dL) or % transferrin saturation; TSAT of <20%) in the previous 6 months were switched to i.v. ferric carboxymaltose (FCM). Changes in iron status parameters, economic and safety measures were also assessed. Seventy-seven hemodialysis patients aged 68 ± 15 years were included. Erythropoietin resistance index decreased from 24.2 ± 14.6 at pre-switch to 20.4 ± 14.6 after 6 months of FCM treatment and Hb levels ≥10.5 g/dL improved from 61% to 75.3% patients (p = 0.042). A 1 g/dL increase in Hb levels was also seen in 26% of patients as well as a 37.7% increase in patients achieving >20% increase in TSAT after FCM. Levels of Hb, TSAT and ferritin parameters increased during FCM treatment with a concomitant decrease in ESA. A mixed-model analysis, which also considered gender, confirmed these trends. Safety variables remained stable, no hypersensitivity reaction was recorded and only one patient reported an adverse event after FCM. FCM treatment was associated with a cost saving of 11.11 EUR/patient/month. These results confirm the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of FCM in correcting IDA in hemodialysis patients.

Efficacy of Oral Versus Injectable Iron in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Two-Year Cross-Sectional Study Conducted at a Rural Teaching Hospital

Aim

Anaemia (particularly iron deficiency) is of important concern in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) as it reflects the outcome of the disease. Current recommendations for the use of intravenous iron (IV) therapy in the management of anaemia in such patients are limited. This study highlights the comparison of oral to intravenous iron in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Materials and methods

This is a prospective case-control study comparing intravenous iron to oral iron in chronic kidney disease patients admitted to the Medicine Department of Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, in central India from October 2018 to October 2020. A total of 150 patients were divided into two groups of 75 each, one receiving oral iron (ferrous sulfate 325 mg tablets) and the other intravenous iron (IV iron sucrose).

Results

Serum iron, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation (TS) showed increased levels in the IV iron group than in the oral iron group. In the IV group, a statistically significant increase was found in haemoglobin levels after therapy among all stages of kidney disease (p<0.05) while the same was not reported in the oral iron group.

Conclusion

IV iron sucrose therapy had been found to be effective, well-tolerated, and more successful than oral iron treatment in chronic kidney disease patients as far as the parameter of iron deficiency anaemia is concerned.

Intravenous Iron-Carbohydrate Nanoparticles and Their Similars. What Do We Choose?

Anemia is highly prevalent worldwide and iron deficiency is the first cause. Iron deficiency has not only hematologic effects but also non-hematologic effects - immune, metabolic, cognitive dysfunctions and poor cardiovascular and renal outcomes - which generally precede anemia. Iron therapy not only significantly improves the hematological parameters but also has non-hematologic benefits. Given that its efficacy and safety has been revealed over the years, intravenous (IV) iron therapy is frequently used. Intravenous iron products are nanoparticles largely consisting in an iron core surrounded by a carbohydrate shell. They are classified as non-biological complex molecules, being different from small commonly used molecules, with properties and biological behavior impossible to be completely characterized only by physicochemical analysis. To date, there is no appropriate regulatory evaluation system for these medicines and several follow-on versions of the IV iron originators (e.g., iron sucrose) were approved using the same regulatory pathway as for generics. Because of this vulnerability in an adequate pathway for approval, both non-clinical and clinical studies suggested no therapeutic equivalence (thus no interchangeability) between iron sucrose originator (Venofer®), and iron sucrose similars. In this review we aimed to underline the importance of intravenous iron therapy as well as raise awareness regarding the differences between nanomedicines and their intended similar but not identical copies. The potential implications of these differences impact patients (safety, efficacy) but also the medical system (higher costs).

Erythropoietin-Stimulating Agent Hyporesponsiveness in Patients Living with Chronic Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND

Erythropoietin-stimulating agent (ESA) hyporesponsiveness is commonly observed in patients with anemia secondary to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Because of its complexity, a global consensus on how we should define ESA hyporesponsiveness remains unavailable. The reported prevalence and demographic information on ESA hyporesponsiveness within the CKD population are variable with no consensus definition.

SUMMARY

ESA hyporesponsiveness is defined as having no increase in hemoglobin concentration from baseline after the first month of treatment on appropriate weight-based dosing. The important factors associated with ESA hyporesponsiveness include absolute or functional iron deficiency, inflammation, and uremia. Hepcidin has been demonstrated to play an important role in this process. Mineral bone disease secondary to CKD and non-iron malnutrition among other factors are also associated with ESA hyporesponsiveness. There is continued debate toward determining a gold-standard treatment pathway to manage ESA hyporesponsiveness. The development of hypoxia-inducing factor-stabilizers brings new insights and opportunities in the management of ESA hyporesponsiveness.

KEY MESSAGE

Management of ESA hyporesponsiveness involves a comprehensive multidisciplinary team approach to address its risk factors. The progression of basic and clinical research on identifying risk factors and management of ESA hyporesponsiveness brings greater hope on finding solutions to eventually tackling one of the most difficult problems in the topic of anemia in CKD.

Anemia Management in the Cancer Patient With CKD and End-Stage Kidney Disease

Anemia is a common medical problem among patients with cancer and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although anemia in patients with CKD is often treated with iron and erythropoietin-stimulating agents, there are controversies with regard to the use of erythropoietin-stimulating agents in cancer patients. In this article, we review the treatment of anemia in patients with cancer and CKD, in addition to summarizing the current guidelines in treatment of anemia in these patients.

Prevalence and determinants of iron deficiency in cardiac amyloidosis

Aims

Iron deficiency (ID) is common in patient with chronic heart failure (HF) and has been widely studied. In contrast, data concerning ID in cardiac amyloidosis (CA) are limited. Amyloidosis is a severe and fatal systemic disease, characterized by an accumulation of amyloid fibrils in various tissues/organs, including nerves, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and heart. Amyloid deposits in the heart eventually cause HF. The main subtypes of CA are light chain (AL), hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv), and wild‐type transthyretin (ATTRwt). We performed this study to determine the prevalence, clinical outcome (all‐cause mortality), and determinants of ID among the three main subtypes of CA.

Methods and results

Iron deficiency status were analysed in 816 CA patients enrolled at the French Referral Centre for Cardiac Amyloidosis: 271 (33%) had AL, 164 (20%) ATTRv, and 381 (47%) ATTRwt. ID affected 49% of CA patients, 45% with AL, 58% with ATTRv, and 48% with ATTRwt. We identified ATTR status (ATTRv P = 0.003, ATTRwt P = 0.037), diabetes (P = 0.003), aspirin treatment (P = 0.009), haemoglobin levels (P = 0.006), and altered global longitudinal strain (P = 0.02) as independent ID determinants. There is no difference in all‐cause mortality considering ID status.

Conclusions

Iron deficiency is common in patients with CA, irrespective of the subtype. Patients seem more likely to have ID if diagnosed with ATTR, if diabetic, and/or treated with aspirin. In CA, the benefit of intravenous iron therapy, for ID, on morbidity and mortality needs further study.

Questions and answers on iron deficiency treatment selection and the use of intravenous iron in routine clinical practice

Iron deficiency is a common cause of morbidity and can arise as a consequence or complication from many diseases. The use of intravenous iron has increased significantly in the last decade, but concerns remain about indications and administration. Modern intravenous iron preparations can facilitate rapid iron repletion in one or two doses, both for absolute iron deficiency and, in the presence of inflammation, functional iron deficiency, where oral iron therapy is ineffective or has not worked. A multidisciplinary team of experts experienced in iron deficiency undertook a consensus review to support healthcare professionals with practical advice on managing iron deficiency in gastrointestinal, renal and cardiac disease, as well as; pregnancy, heavy menstrual bleeding, and surgery. We explain how intravenous iron may work where oral iron has not. We provide context on how and when intravenous iron should be administered, and informed opinion on potential benefits balanced with potential side-effects. We propose how intravenous iron side-effects can be anticipated in terms of what they may be and when they may occur. The aim of this consensus is to provide a practical basis for educating and preparing staff and patients on when and how iron infusions can be administered safely and efficiently. Key messages Iron deficiency treatment selection is driven by several factors, including the presence of inflammation, the time available for iron replenishment, and the anticipated risk of side-effects or intolerance. Intravenous iron preparations are indicated for the treatment of iron deficiency when oral preparations are ineffective or cannot be used, and therefore have applicability in a wide range of clinical contexts, including chronic inflammatory conditions, perioperative settings, and disorders associated with chronic blood loss. Adverse events occurring with intravenous iron can be anticipated according to when they typically occur, which provides a basis for educating and preparing staff and patients on how iron infusions can be administered safely and efficiently.