Gut Liver.  2016 Jul;10(4):562-568. 10.5009/gnl15373.

Comparison of the Efficacies of Parenteral Iron Sucrose and Oral Iron Sulfate for Anemic Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Korea

• Han YM
• Yoon H
• Shin CM
• Koh SJ
• Im JP
• Kim BG
• Kim JS
• Jung HC

• KMID: 2412044
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5009/gnl15373

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
The optimal route for iron administration in anemic patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been determined. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacies of parenteral and oral iron therapy in IBD patients in Korea.
METHODS
A retrospective multicenter study was performed. Patients who had been administered parenteral iron were matched to the controls with oral iron at a 1:1 ratio according to age, sex, and type of IBD.
RESULTS
Patients that received parenteral iron exhibited increases in hemoglobin levels of ≥20% from the baseline at lower doses and in shorter durations (p=0.034 and p=0.046, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, parenteral iron therapy appeared to be more efficient than oral iron therapy, but this difference was not statistically significant (hazard ratio [HR], 1.552; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.844 to 2.851; p=0.157). Patients with ulcerative colitis responded better to iron therapy than those with Crohn's disease (HR, 3.415; 95% CI, 1.808 to 6.450; p<0.001). Patients with an initial hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL or higher responded poorly to iron therapy (HR, 0.345; 95% CI, 0.177 to 0.671; p=0.002).
CONCLUSIONS
Parenteral iron therapy appears to be more efficient than oral iron therapy. Physicians should focus on the iron deficiency of IBD patients and consider parenteral iron supplements in appropriate patient groups.

Keyword

Crohn disease; Inflammatory bowel diseases; Anemia, iron-deficiency; Parenteral iron; Colitis, ulcerative

MeSH Terms

Administration, Oral
Adolescent
Adult
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/*drug therapy/etiology
Dietary Supplements
Female
Ferric Compounds/*administration & dosage
Ferrous Compounds/*administration & dosage
Glucaric Acid/*administration & dosage
Hematinics/*administration & dosage
Humans
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/*complications
Infusions, Parenteral
Male
Republic of Korea
Retrospective Studies
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult
Ferric Compounds
Ferrous Compounds
Hematinics
Glucaric Acid