Efficacy of iron supplements given on alternate days versus consecutive days in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in women of reproductive age: non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial
Abstract:
Introduction and aim: Although recent studies demonstrated greater iron absorption with alternate-day single dosing(AD) compared to conventional twice-daily split dosing(CD), there have been no studies evaluating long-term efficacy between these two schemes treatment of IDA . This open-label, non-inferiority, RCT (TCTR20200614001) primarily aims to evaluate efficacy between AD of iron supplements versus CD in reproductive-aged women with IDA. Methods: Women aged 18-50 years with IDA were eligible. Patients randomized in AD were given single doses of ferrous sulfate 400 mg on alternate days, while CD were given ferrous sulfate 200 mg twice daily. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with >= 2 g/dL hemoglobin (Hb) increase at day 30 (D30) post-treatment. The secondary outcomes were the proportion of patients with >= 1 g Hb increase at D30; Hb and sF at D30 and D90; and incidence of adverse events. Results: Of 43 in preliminary analysis, 21 and 22 were randomized to AD and CD, respectively. There were no statistical differences in pretreatment Hb (8.23 vs. 8.49 g/dL, P = 0.576) and sF (6.02 vs. 6.78 µg/L, P = 0.552) between AD and CD, respectively. At D30, the proportions of patients with >= 2 g/dL Hb increase were 57.1% vs 63.6% (95%CI (-0.34 to 0.22), P = 0.282 for non-inferiority), while the proportions of patients with >= 1 g/dL Hb increase were 100% vs 90.9% (95%CI (-0.07 to 0.27), P = 0.006, for non-inferiority) in AD and CD, respectively. There were statistical differences in Hb at D30 (P = 0.046) but no statistical differences at D90 (P = 0.574) and sF (D30; P = 0.235, and D90; P = 0.280) between AD and CD, respectively. Conclusions: Alternate-day single dosing of iron supplements may be an alternative treatment for IDA, especially in patients who do not require a rapid correction of anemia. This trial is actively enrolling.