Dr Micheal Hedenus of the Haematology Unit of the Sundsval Hospital in Sweden presented promising results on a study on a single iron dose for fatigue treatment in iron deficient women at the 17th Congress of the European Haematology Association in Amsterdam.

Fatigue and iron deficiency are prevalent among women of childbearing age.

This randomised, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effect of a single intravenous 1.000 mg iron dose as ferric carboxymaltose (FCM, Ferinject®, Vifor Pharma, Switzerland) on fatigue symptoms in 294 non- anaemic, iron-deficient but otherwise healthy women with moderate-to-severe fatigue (Piper Fatigue Scale total score ≥5).

Fatigue symptoms were assessed before and 7, 28, and 56 days after treatment.

The fatigue score improved significantly more often in FCM- than placebo-treated patients (65.3% vs. 52.7%; p=0.03) and twice as many women in the FCM than in the placebo group (33% vs. 16%; p<0.001) achieved a 50% reduction in their fatigue.

Notably, a difference in the median fatigue score was seen from Day 7 onwards.

In addition to the total fatigue score, all subscores as well as mental quality of life and self-rated alertness, contentment and calmness improved in the FCM-treated women. Side effects were reported by 49% of placebo- and 57% of iron-treated women.

Overall, a single well-tolerated dose of ferric carboxymaltose (1,000 mg iron) rapidly and effectively replenished iron stores and reduced fatigue symptoms in non-anaemic women with fatigue and iron deficiency.

The results suggest that patients with fatigue and iron deficiency without anemia may benefit from iron replacement.

Source: EHA