Experience in Using Intravenous Iron: A Retrospective Study on Outcome of Intravenous Iron in Medical Ward of a Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Introduction:
Numerous studies have highlighted the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) iron in treating iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), particularly in reducing the need for blood transfusions. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of IV iron and to determine the factors influencing the achievement of target haemoglobin (Hb) levels.
Methods:
Data from hospitalized adult patients who received IV Iron over a one-year period were analyzed. A total of 120 patients were recruited using convenience sampling method. The study endpoints include the increment in Hb level and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), as well as the predictors and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with IV iron used.
Results:
The Hb and MCV increased significantly from 8.28±1.12 g/dL to 10.53±1.76 g/dL and 77.31±10.66fL to 82.19±9.04 fL, respectively. Additionally, 49.2% of patients achieved an increase in Hb ≥2g/dL, and 13.3% achieved normalization of Hb. Minor ADRs were reported in only 2.8% of patients. Four significant predictors affecting the use of IV iron to achieve an increase in Hb ≥2g/dL were baseline Hb (aOR 0.541; 95% CI 0.348 – 0.843), baseline ferritin ≤30 μg/dL (aOR 3.059; 95% CI 1.136 – 8.240), non-diabetes mellitus (aOR 0.317; 95% CI 0.130 – 0.772) and blood disorder (aOR 5.195; 95% CI 1.024 – 26.358).
Conclusion:
Hospitalized patients with lower baseline Hb, baseline ferritin ≤30 μg/dL, non-diabetes mellitus, and underlying blood disorders were identified as predictors for the use of IV iron in the treatment of IDA to achieve an Hb increase of ≥2g/dL.