Parenteral Iron Therapy in Treatment of Anemia in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients: A Comparative Study between Iron Saccharate and Gluconate

Abstract

Background: Anemia in hemodialysis patients is a complex syndrome. The impetus of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of iron saccharate complex (ISC) and sodium ferric gluconate complex (SFGC) in treating anemia in hemodialysis patients. Methods: Forty-eight adult anemic patients of both genders (33 males and 15 females) who had an adequate level of both hemodialysis and nutrition status and received neither EPO nor parenteral iron therapy during the preceding 6 months were randomized to 2 groups. The first group comprised 22 patients who were treated with parenteral ISC, 100 mg twice weekly for 2 months and once weekly thereafter. The second group included 26 patients who received SFGC, 62.5 mg twice weekly for 2 months and once weekly thereafter. The patients were followed up for 6 months. Results: This head-to-head study showed that iron stores were adequately repleted by the use of both drugs. Repletion of iron stores was associated with a significant rise in both hemoglobin and hematocrit in both groups at the end of the follow-up period in comparison to their initial values at the start of the study (p < 0.001). Both parenteral iron therapy preparations were tolerated without a statistical difference between both groups. Conclusion: This head-to-head study confirmed that both parenteral iron preparations are effective for adequate repletion of iron stores and constituted a step forward in the management of anemic hemodialysis patients without noticeable adverse effects related to the administration of both iron preparations.