نبذة مختصرة : Rıfat Bozkuş, Emin Gemcioğlu, Şeyma Sarışen Department of Internal Medicine, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, TurkeyCorrespondence: Rıfat Bozkuş, Department of Internal Medicine, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Varlık Mahallesi, Halil Sezai Erkut Caddesi, Yenimahalle, Ankara, Turkey, Tel +90 505 799 17 45, Email rifatbozkus@gmail.comPurpose: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a major public health concern. Intravenous (IV) iron supplementation serves as an effective alternative when oral iron therapy fails or is not tolerated. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and impact on quality of life of ferric carboxymaltose in the treatment of IDA.Methods: In this prospective observational study conducted between June 2023 and February 2025, a total of 528 patients with IDA—unresponsive or intolerant to oral iron—received IV ferric carboxymaltose. Doses were calculated using the Ganzoni formula. Hematological parameters and quality of life were assessed pre- and 30 days post-treatment using laboratory tests and the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Adverse events were recorded during a 30-day follow-up.Results: The mean age was 41.56 ± 12.33 years, with 92.4% female participants. Hemoglobin increased from 9.17 ± 1.36 to 13.12 ± 0.82 g/dL, and ferritin exhibited a substantial rise from 6.23 ± 4.38 to 178.91 ± 123.99 ng/mL (both p < 0.001). Mild side effects occurred in 11.36% of cases; no serious adverse events were observed. Significant improvements were recorded in physical and psychological domains of quality of life (p < 0.001). Hypophosphatemia was more frequent in patients receiving > 1750 mg of iron and with pre-treatment phosphorus levels < 3.05 mg/dL.Conclusion: IV ferric carboxymaltose is a safe and effective therapy for IDA, offering rapid hematological recovery and improved quality of life. However, hypophosphatemia remains a concern at higher doses, warranting close monitoring and further investigation.Plain Language Summary: Iron deficiency anemia is a common condition, especially among women, and it can cause tiredness, poor concentration, and lower quality of life. Some people cannot tolerate iron pills or do not respond to them, so they need iron treatment through a vein.In this study, we looked at the effect of a specific type of intravenous iron treatment, called ferric carboxymaltose, in people with Iron deficiency anemia. We wanted to find out whether this treatment improves blood iron levels and also whether it helps people feel better in their daily lives.Our results demonstrate that this treatment effectively improves hemoglobin and iron levels within one month. They also reported feeling physically and mentally better, with fewer symptoms of fatigue and discomfort. The treatment caused only mild side effects in a small number of people. However, some patients developed low blood phosphorus levels, especially when they received higher doses of the treatment or had lower phosphorus before treatment. This can lead to health problems if not monitored.In summary, ferric carboxymaltose is a safe and effective treatment for iron deficiency anemia that can improve patients’ quality of life. But doctors should monitor phosphorus levels, especially in patients at higher risk.Keywords: iron deficiency anemia, ferric carboxymaltose, hypophosphatemia, quality of life
Processing Request
No Comments.