Anemia
in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Treated by Liposomal Iron
Srđan Marković1,2,
Đorđe Kralj1, Tamara Knežević Ivanovski1,
Miloš Mitrović1,
Olga Odanović1, Vesna Brzački3,4, Petar Svorcan1,2
1University Clinical Hospital Center “Zvezdara”,
Department of Gastroenterology, Belgrade, Serbia
2University of Belgrade, Faculty of
Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia
3University Clinical Center Niš, Clinic
of Gastroenterology, Niš, Serbia
4University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine,
Niš, Serbia
SUMMARY
Introduction/Aim. Anemia is a common extraintestinal
manifestation of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Recognizing
and treating anemia in patients with IBD is vital for improving
the quality of life and reducing complications. The aim of this
study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of the
liposomal iron formulation in the treatment of anemia in
patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Method. A total of 37 patients with Crohn's disease and
ulcerative colitis, confirmed with sideropenic anemia (Hb 10
g/dl – 12 g/l, ferritin less than 100), received a liposomal
iron pyrophosphate preparation at the dose of 30 mg daily for
one month. Parameters such as hemoglobin level, hematocrit,
ferritin, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were monitored,
along with anemia symptoms, and correlated with the onset of
therapy; quality of life was also assessed. Statistical analysis
was performed using the SPSS program.
Results. The application of liposomal iron over one month
resulted in a statistically significant increase in hemoglobin
levels, averaging 3 g/dL (p = 0.021). A significant increase in
hemoglobin was observed in patients in endoscopic remission,
almost 10 g/dL (p = 0.008). Additionally, there was an average
increase in ferritin levels by almost 2 ng/mL (p = 0.514) and
hematocrit by 0.006% (p = 0.126), although these increases did
not reach statistical significance. Analyzing the results based
on the type of IBD, greater efficacy was observed in patients
with ulcerative colitis, showing a significant increase in
hemoglobin of 8 g/dL (p = 0.012) compared to patients with
Crohn's disease. Two patients reported abdominal discomfort and
diarrhea (5.4%) as adverse effects.
Conclusion. Our results suggest that 8.3% of IBD patients in
clinical remission have anemia and liposomal iron is an
effective and safe option for treating anemia in patients.
Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term
effectiveness and safety of liposomal iron in this patient
population.
Keywords: anemia, inflammatory bowel
diseases, liposomal iron, sideropenia
Corresponding author:
Đorđe Kralj
e-mail:
drkraljdjordje@gmail.com
ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2024;41(4):555-561