The objective of the systematic review and meta-analysis, published in the August issue of the British Medical Journal, was to assess the efficacy and safety of intravenous iron therapy, the main parameters being evaluated such as the level of hemoglobin, the need for blood transfusions and the risk of development. infectious complications.

A systematic review included randomized controlled trials that examined the efficacy and safety of intravenous iron preparations.

Searches were performed in the Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from 1966 to June 2013. Studies comparing iron supplementation were found to be eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. iv in the absence of treatment or appointment of iron preparations inside.

The main outcomes evaluated were hemoglobin levels and the need for erythromass transfusions (efficacy assessment) and the risk of developing infectious complications (safety).

Out of the 75 studies meeting the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis, 72 studies (10,605 patients) included the quantitative indicators necessary to assess the main parameters.

Intravenous administration of iron preparations has been found to increase hemoglobin concentration (normalized mean difference of 6.5 g / l, 95% confidence interval 5.1-7.9 g / l) and reduces the need for red blood cell transfusions (risk ratio 0.74, 95% CI 0.62-0.88), especially in cases where iron preparations have been prescribed simultaneously with erythropoiesis stimulants or in patients with a lower initial ferritin plasma concentration.

There was no significant difference between the efficacy and the iron preparations used and the prescribed dose. At the same time, intravenous administration of iron preparations leads to a statistically significant increase in the risk of developing infections (relative risk 1.33, 95% CI 1.1-1.64) compared to appointment of iron inside or no treatment.

Thus, intravenous administration of iron preparations is effective in increasing the hemoglobin concentration and reducing the need for blood transfusions, however, the potential increased risk of developing infections in the context of such treatment should be taken into account.