1.
The effect of intravenous iron on erythropoiesis in older people with hip fracture
Moppett IK, Rowlands M, Mannings AM, Marufu TC, Sahota O, Yeung J
Age and ageing. 2019
Abstract
BACKGROUND anaemia following hip fracture is common and associated with worse outcomes. Intravenous iron is a potential non-transfusion treatment for this anaemia and has been found to reduce transfusion rates in previous observational studies. There is good evidence for its use in elective surgical populations. OBJECTIVE to examine the impact of intravenous iron on erythropoiesis following hip fracture. DESIGN two-centre, assessor-blinded, randomised, controlled trial of patients with primary hip fracture and no contra-indications to intravenous iron. METHOD the intervention group received three doses of 200 mg iron sucrose over 30 min (Venofer, Vifor Pharma, Bagshot Park, UK) on three separate days. Primary outcome was reticulocyte count at day 7 after randomisation. Secondary outcomes included haemoglobin concentration, complications and discharge destination. Eighty participants were randomised. RESULTS there was a statistically significantly greater absolute final reticulocyte count in the iron group (89.4 (78.9-101.3) x 109 cells l-1 (n = 39) vs. the control (72.2 (63.9-86.4)) x 109 cells l-1 (n = 41); P = 0.019; (mean (95% confidence intervals) of log-transformed data). There were no differences in final haemoglobin concentration (99.9 (95.7-104.2) vs. 102.0 (98.7-105.3) P = 0.454) or transfusion requirements in the first week (11 (28%) vs. 12 (29%); P = 0.899). Functional and safety outcomes were not different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS although intravenous iron does stimulate erythropoiesis following hip fracture in older people, the effect is too small and too late to affect transfusion rates. Trial Registry Numbers: ISRCTN76424792; EuDRACT 2011-003233-34.
2.
Relationship between epoetin alfa (EPO) treatment and serum hepcidin levels in anemic patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Moyo V, Kersting R, Westerman M, Langholff W, Rastogi R, Mundle S
Blood. 2008;112((11):): Abstract No. 3450.
3.
Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on anaemia and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and anaemia of chronic disease: a randomised placebo controlled double blind 52 weeks clinical trial
Peeters HR, Jongen-Lavrencic M, Vreugdenhil G, Swaak AJ
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 1996;55((10):):739-44.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study whether recombinant human erythropoietin (r-hu-Epo) improves anaemia and reduces disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and anaemia of chronic disease (ACD). METHODS A 52 week placebo controlled randomised double blind trial with r-hu-Epo was performed in 70 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and ACD. Thirty four patients were treated with 240 U kg-1 r-hu-Epo subcutaneously, initially three doses weekly, while 36 patients received placebo. RESULTS A significant increase of haemoglobin from a median of 112 to 135 g litre-1 occurred in the Epo group within six weeks and could be sustained with reduced doses (median 240 U kg-1 once weekly). Sustained benefit compared to placebo was also apparent by six weeks for disease activity, as indicated by the Paulus 20% response rate. Of patients in the Epo group, 32% eventually showed a Paulus 20% response, compared to 8% of the placebo group (P = 0.016). Significant differences in favour of the Epo group were also observed in the secondary disease activity measures Ritchie index, number of swollen joints, pain score, ESR, and patients' global assessment of disease activity. C reactive protein concentrations did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS Treatment of ACD in rheumatoid arthritis with r-hu-Epo is effective in restoring normal haemoglobin levels and also exerts a beneficial effect on disease activity.
