# Early Haematologic Response to Oral Iron Treatment in Adults With Moderate Iron‐Deficiency Anaemia

## TL;DR

This study shows that oral iron treatment quickly improves anemia in adults, with noticeable effects within days.

## Contribution

The study is the first to demonstrate the rapid onset of action of a specific oral iron formulation in treating moderate iron-deficiency anemia.

## Key findings

- A hemoglobin increase of ≥0.5 g/dL was observed within 9-10 days of treatment.
- Serum iron levels increased significantly within the first 3 days of treatment.
- The treatment showed a very good safety profile and improved patients' quality of life.

## Abstract

Identifying early response to oral iron supplementation in anaemic patients is key. This study aims to assess the onset‐of‐action of oral liquid solution of ferrous gluconate, copper and manganese gluconate in adults with moderate iron deficiency anaemia.

This prospective, open‐label study was conducted in France, Bulgaria and Kenya. All patients received 150 mg of oral ferrous gluconate/day for 12 weeks. Eleven blood samples were taken at Day 7 and at Days 0, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 56 and 84. The primary endpoint was to assess treatment duration required to observe a +0.5 g/dL haemoglobin (Hb) level increase.

Ninety‐five moderately anaemic patients were included in the analysis. Hb increase ≥ 0.5 g/dL was observed within 9‐10 days of treatment (0.51 g/dL at Day 10, 95% CI: 0.45–0.57 and p < 0.0001). Serum iron increased within the first 3 days (mean change from baseline: 67.21 ± 91.57 μg/dL). An improvement of quality of life (physical component mean change: 8.20 ± 7.34 and mental component: 6.72 ± 6.67) was reported after treatment. The safety profile was very good.

This study demonstrates for the first time the rapid onset‐of‐action of oral liquid solution of ferrous gluconate and confirms its good tolerability.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04309669