Haemoglobin and iron studies
IRON DEFICIENCY
There were no significant differences in haemoglobin or iron studies at
baseline between participant groups. Compared to baseline, there was a
significant rise in haemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation % at
weeks 4 and 8 for participants in the iron group but not the placebo group
(Change in haemoglobin (g/L), ferritin (ng/ml), and transferrin
saturation (%) across the three study timepoints for placebo and
intravenous iron.A post hoc analysis was performed to categorise participants based on
functional, or absolute iron deficiency. When both groups were pooled, the
distribution of functional iron deficiency and absolute iron deficiency were
similar, with baseline haemoglobin lower in those with functional iron
deficiency (functional 102 g/L [SD 17.3], absolute 115 g/L [14]). C-reactive
protein was higher for participants with functional iron deficiency than
those with absolute iron deficiency, 48 (55) versus 16 (16), respectively.
In the iron group, the haemoglobin response was more immediate in
participants with absolute iron deficiency compared to functional iron
deficiency (