[Treatment of iron deficiency by a bolus intravenous iron dextran in peritoneal dialysis].

Introduction: The main objective of this study is to determine whether a single dose of iron dextran can correct iron deficiency during a period of four months in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Method: This was a prospective observational study in peritoneal dialysis patients who had anemia (hemoglobin<11g/dL) and iron deficiency (ferritin<100μg/L and/or transferrin saturation<20%). Patients who were resistant to oral iron or who could not tolerate oral iron were included in the study. At baseline, based on the iron deficiency estimation, a single dose of iron dextran was infused over four hours.

Results: Of 17 patients included, 12 completed the study. The mean iron dose infused was 742±150mg. No clinically significant adverse event was reported during the infusion. Four months after the iron dextran infusion there was a significant increase of the mean hemoglobin level (10.1±0.7g/dl vs 11.4±1.2g/dL, P<0.05), the mean blood ferritin level (66±46mg/L vs 212±121mg/L, P<0.05) and the mean transferrin saturation (14±5% vs 23±8, P<0.05). Four months after the iron infusion 10 patients had a blood ferritin level higher than 100μg/L and a transferrin saturation higher than 20%. There was no significant modification of the erythropoietin dose during the four months period.

Conclusion: In patients treated by peritoneal dialysis, the anemia due to iron deficiency can be treated by a single infusion of iron dextran for a period of four months.