Transplant Trial Watch

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intravenous or Oral Iron for Posttransplant Anemia in Kidney Transplantation.

Mudge DW, Tan KS, et al.

Transplantation, 93(8): 822-826, 2012.


Aims
To compare the effect of a single dose of intravenous (IV) iron with oral iron therapy on post- transplant anemia in kidney transplantation.

Interventions
IV iron polymaltose (500 mg single dose) administrated on the fourth postoperative day versus daily oral ferrous sulfate (two tablets equivalent to 210 mg elemental iron) administrated on the fifth postoperative day and continued until the primary endpoint was reached. All patients were given two doses of basiliximab induction, and maintenance immunosupression with mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine or tacrolimus and prednisolone.

Participants
104 kidney transplant recipients.

Outcomes
The primary outcome was the post-transplant hemoglobin concentration. The primary endpoint was the time to hemoglobin ≥11 g/dL. Secondary outcomes were gastrointestinal symptoms, infusion reactions, acute rejection episodes, renal function, delayed graft function, infectious episodes, and blood transfusion or erythropoiesis-stimulating agent administration.

Follow-up
3 months

CET Conclusions
The trial shows that a single dose of intravenous iron was not superior to the administration of oral iron for the management of post transplant anaemia. Both IV and oral iron appeared to be safe and effective.

Jadad score
3

Data analysis
Modified intention-to-treat analysis

Allocation concealment
Yes

Trial registration
ACTRN12608000186358

Funding source
Non-industry funded