Comparison of parenteral iron sucrose and ferric chloride during erythropoietin therapy of haemodialysis patients.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of i.v. iron sucrose and Fe chloride on the iron indices of haemodialysis patients with anaemia.


METHODS
One hundred and eight haemodialysis patients receiving recombinant human erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) (mean age 59.37 years) were enrolled and randomly assigned to an iron sucrose or an Fe chloride group. Iron supplements were administered at 100 mg/week during the first 4 weeks (loading dose). Ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) were then measured and dose adjusted. Ninety-eight subjects completed treatment; 51 in the iron sucrose group and 47 in the Fe chloride group. Ferritin, TSAT, haematocrit (Hct), reticulocyte count, serum albumin, fractional clearance of urea (Kt/V) and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were measured.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the groups. Significant differences between the groups were observed in both iron indices and ESA dosage. Hct at week 24 (31.1% vs 29.7%, P = 0.006) and ferritin at week 20 (731.3 vs 631.7 ng/mL, P = 0.006) in the iron sucrose group were significantly higher than in the Fe chloride group. ESA dosage used in the iron sucrose group at week 8 was significantly lower than in the Fe chloride group (244.9 vs 322.6 U/kg per month, P = 0.003), and iron sucrose group received significantly lower iron dose than the Fe chloride group at week 8 (P = 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Although the differences in ESA dosage, ferritin and iron dosage between two groups were found during the study period while similar results were shown at the end of 24 week study. Thus, iron sucrose and Fe chloride are safe and work equally well for haemodialysis patients.
Wu
Chih-Jen
CJ
Department of Nephrology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
Lin
Hsin-Chang
HC
Lee
Kun-Feng
KF
Chuang
Chih-Kuang
CK
Chen
Yi-Chou
YC
Chen
Han-Hsiang
HH
D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002712:Chlorides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077605:Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; D005937:Glucaric Acid; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006435:Renal Dialysis
D002712:Chlorides; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D006397:Hematinics; D000077605:Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; D005937:Glucaric Acid; C024555:ferric chloride