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Erschienen in: Drugs & Aging 2/2015

01.02.2015 | Systematic Review

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: What Is the Evidence for Oral Iron Supplementation in Treating Anaemia in Elderly People?

verfasst von: Hui Sian Tay, Roy L. Soiza

Erschienen in: Drugs & Aging | Ausgabe 2/2015

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Abstract

Background

Oral iron supplementation is used widely in older people despite observational studies suggesting it is ineffective.

Objective

The aim of this systematic review was to determine if oral iron therapy is effective in elderly people with iron deficiency anaemia.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to 23 January 2014.

Study Selection

Randomised controlled trials comparing oral iron with no iron supplementation or placebo and measuring the change in haemoglobin levels in elderly patients with anaemia were included. Titles and abstracts were reviewed and publications were screened by both authors independently to exclude articles that did not satisfy the inclusion criteria.

Study Appraisal and Synthesis

Risk of bias was systematically assessed independently by both authors using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Data on the increase in haemoglobin level after therapy was either collected from original publications or by contacting the corresponding authors. Length of hospitalisation, mortality and adverse effect data were also analysed.

Results

A total of 6,163 citations were screened, but only three studies (a total of 440 participants with a mean age ranging between 70 and 83 years) met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed oral iron supplementation increased haemoglobin levels more than placebo or no treatment after 4–6 weeks of treatment (mean difference 0.35 g/dL, 95 % CI 0.12–0.59, p = 0.003). There were no statistically significant differences in adverse effects, length of hospitalisation or mortality.

Limitations

Only one of the three studies was specific to older people and all studies involved patients in orthopaedic settings. The mean age of participants was different, and the dosage and frequency of ferrous sulphate differed.

Conclusion

Oral iron raises haemoglobin levels in elderly people with iron deficiency anaemia by 0.35 g/dL after 4–6 weeks, but it is unclear if this results in tangible health benefits.
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Metadaten
Titel
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: What Is the Evidence for Oral Iron Supplementation in Treating Anaemia in Elderly People?
verfasst von
Hui Sian Tay
Roy L. Soiza
Publikationsdatum
01.02.2015
Verlag
Springer International Publishing
Erschienen in
Drugs & Aging / Ausgabe 2/2015
Print ISSN: 1170-229X
Elektronische ISSN: 1179-1969
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-015-0241-5

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