Iron Treatment Strategies in Nondialysis CKD

SummaryIn contrast to managing patients on hemodialysis in whom iron strategies are more focused on intravenous iron, nondialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients may receive either oral or intravenous iron. There are advantages and disadvantages for both strategies. Oral iron is simple and cheap to administer and does not require hospital visits, but is poorly absorbed in advanced CKD and is associated with unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects. Intravenous iron, on the other hand, guarantees iron bioavailability and avoids problems of variable absorption of iron from the gastrointestinal tract, but requires specialist clinic services. Intravenous iron also is associated with hypersensitivity reactions, albeit very rarely. The efficacy of intravenous iron in improving hemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation is well established, and superior to oral iron, but the long-term safety of this route of administration has not been established and there are theoretical concerns that patients may be exposed to increased oxidative stress and exacerbation of infections. The final choice of iron management strategy will depend on individual physician preference, as well as the facilities that are available.