Abstract

Improvement of Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Receiving Routine Intravenous Iron Supplementation

Danko I, Weidkamp M, Eickhoff JC. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2019 Nov-Dec;24(6):517-527. doi: 10.5863/1551-6776-24.6.517.

 
     

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is very common in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While health-related quality of life (HRQL) is a key outcome measure, no long-term studies have evaluated the effect of correction of IDA on HRQL in children with IBD. Our goal was to prospectively study changes in HRQL in iron-deficient children with IBD receiving routine ironsupplementation with periodic intravenous iron sucrose (IVIS).

METHODS: Thirty-eight children with IBD treated with infliximab participated. Hematology and inflammatory markers were assessed before each infliximab treatment. Iron-deficient patients (transferrin saturation below 20% and/or ferritin below 30 ng/mL or 100 ng/mL with normal or elevated C-reactive protein, respectively) received IVIS after each infliximab infusion until iron indices stayed normal for two consecutive measurements. HRQL was assessed with Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory every 4 months. Correlation between changes in mean hemoglobin levels and HRQL scores was analyzed prospectively in 3-month periods over a period exceeding 3 years.

RESULTS: At enrollment, 27 patients had already been established on infliximab; 11 had not started or completed induction. Mean iron indices and hemoglobin normalized after 3 and 6 month of starting IVIS, respectively. Multiple HRQL parameters significantly improved, regardless of the duration of infliximab treatment at the time of enrollment. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between correction of anemia and improvement in parent-reported emotional and physical HRQL scores.

CONCLUSIONS: Periodic IVIS resulted in long-term correction of IDA in children with IBD. Correction of IDA contributed to some improvements in HRQL.

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