Inflammation-Driven Differential Response to Intravenous versus Oral Iron Supplementation in Hemodialysis Patients: A post hoc Analysis of the IHOPE Trial.

INTRODUCTION

Anemia is common in hemodialysis patients, and iron supplementation is essential for its management. However, the impact of baseline inflammation on the efficacy of oral versus intravenous iron remains unclear.

METHODS

This post hoc analysis of the IHOPE trial included 193 maintenance hemodialysis patients stratified by median baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Patients were randomized to receive intravenous iron sucrose (100 mg once biweekly) or oral polysaccharide-iron complex (150 mg twice daily) for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was hemoglobin level at 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes included hsCRP, oxidative stress markers, and iron parameters.

RESULTS

At 24 weeks, patients with high baseline hsCRP had lower hemoglobin levels than those with low hsCRP (113.82 ± 12.04 vs. 118.05 ± 13.50 g/L, p = 0.038), despite similar baseline hemoglobin values. Among patients receiving intravenous iron sucrose, those with high hsCRP had significantly lower hemoglobin (112.90 ± 13.19 vs. 121.32 ± 13.46 g/L; p = 0.005) and higher hsCRP and superoxide dismutase levels, suggesting persistent inflammation and oxidative stress. In contrast, hemoglobin levels were similar between high and low hsCRP subgroups in the oral polysaccharide-iron complex group (p = 0.913). Iron parameters and adverse events were comparable across groups.

CONCLUSION

This post hoc analysis suggests baseline inflammation significantly modifies responses to specific iron formulations in hemodialysis patients. Patients with elevated hsCRP showed poorer hemoglobin responses to intravenous iron sucrose, while oral polysaccharide-iron complex maintained consistent efficacy across inflammatory states. These findings warrant prospective studies on inflammation-guided personalization of iron therapy.