title: Intravenous iron therapy restores functional iron deficiency induced by infliximab.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Infliximab (IFX) and iron sucrose (FeS) are of high value in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to assess the relative role of both therapies in IBD related anaemia and their safety when used in combination.
  
  
  METHODS
  IBD patients with anaemia receiving a first series of FeS infusions in addition to IFX were prospectively followed. We investigated serum kinetics of erythropoietin (EPO), soluble transferrin receptors (sTFRs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data analysis included 87 patients of whom 49.4% achieved the target Hb level of 12.0 g/dL. IFX resulted in a significant increase of EPO and sTFR compared to baseline pre-IFX levels (p=0.029 and p=0.005 respectively) and after a 12-week combined FeS and IFX treatment, EPO and sTFR levels dropped significantly compared to pre-FeS levels (p<0.001 for both). Infusion related adverse events were recorded in 2 IFX treated patients (2.3%, 0.7% of the infusions) and were mild. Disease activity and quality of life were not affected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In anaemic IBD patients treated with IFX, combined administration of FeS is safe. Infliximab significantly increases serum EPO and sTFR levels resulting in an increased functional iron deficiency, which is restored after combined treatment with I.V. iron sucrose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, University of Leuven Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Katsanos
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cavalier
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrante
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Van Hauwaert
authors.forename: Liesbet
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Henckaerts
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schnitzler
authors.forename: Afroditi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katsaraki
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noman
authors.forename: Séverine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vermeire
authors.forename: Epameinondas V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Tsianos
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rutgeerts
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chapelle
authors.forename: Gert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Van Assche