AUTHOR=Khatib Mahalaqua Nazli , Sinha Anju Pradhan , Gaidhane Shilpa , Upadhyay Shilpa , Waghmare Nikita , Anil Abhishek , Saxena Deepak , Sawleshwarkar Shailendra , Simkhada Padam Prasad , Gaidhane Abhay , Quazi Zahiruddin Syed 

TITLE=Effect of IV ferric carboxy maltose for moderate/severe anemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2024.1340158

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2024.1340158

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=Introduction: Anemia remains a prevalent global health issue with varying severity. Intravenous iron supplementation, particularly with ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), has appeared as a possible therapeutic intervention for individuals with moderate to severe anemia. The study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) in reducing anemia.We searched electronic databases, registries, websites, e-libraries, reference lists of reviews, citations, etc. We included randomized control trials (RCTs), non-RCTs, and single-arm studies, while observational studies, case series, and case studies were excluded. Two reviewers independently screened the studies and extracted the data. We included studies of moderate-to-severely anaemic Indians and excluded Indians with other comorbidities. We assessed the risk of bias and the overall quality of evidence (QoE) using GRADE GDT.We identified 255 studies and included 14 studies (11 RCT, one non-RCT, and two single-arm studies) with 1,972 participants for qualitative analysis and ten studies in the meta-analysis. All the included studies detailed the use of FCM for anaemia. The primary outcomes assessed in the included studies were anaemia, haemoglobin, and adverse events. The outcomes assessed ranged from two weeks to 12 weeks. The risk of bias varied across different studies with different outcomes. FCM is consistent with a fewer number of adverse events as compared to other interventions and provides 'moderate' to 'very low' QoE.A slow single infusion of one gram of FCM is well-tolerated, safe, and effective in treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and surpasses other interventions (Iron Sucrose Complex (ISC), Iron sucrose, and ferrous ascorbate) in elevating haemoglobin levels and replenishing iron stores.