Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of the study population
| Variable | Group A: IV iron alone (n = 34) | Group B: combined therapy (n = 47) | p value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline clinical characteristics | |||
| Age, years | 75.4 ± 9.3 | 76 ± 10.2 | 0.766 |
| Male | 19 (56) | 37 (79) | 0.032 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 23 (67) | 25 (53) | 0.253 |
| Hypertension | 29 (85) | 39 (83) | 0.779 |
| eGFRa, ml/min/1.73 m2 | 30.8 ± 8.1 | 23.5 ± 16.1 | 0.018 |
| Ejection fraction, % | 38.5 ± 13.9 | 36.5 ± 16.2 | 0.685 |
| ß-Blockers | 27 (84) | 35 (76) | 0.410 |
| RAAS inhibitors | 24 (70) | 25 (53) | 0.779 |
| Baseline laboratory characteristics | |||
| Hemoglobin, g/dl | 10.6 ± 1.1 | 10.2 ± 0.9 | 0.350 |
| Hematocrit, % | 31.9 ± 3.4 | 31.4 ± 6.7 | 0.704 |
| MCV, fl | 85.6 ± 4.5 | 88.7 ± 7.2 | 0.034 |
| MCH, pg/cell | 28.6 ± 2.2 | 29.8 ± 2.5 | 0.030 |
| Platelets, ×109/l | 225 ± 69 | 219 ± 63 | 0.714 |
| Ferritin, ng/ml | 146 ± 112 | 148 ± 156 | 0.560 |
| Serum iron, µg/dl | 51.1 ± 16 | 49.7 ± 21 | 0.772 |
| Transferrin, Rg/dl | 246 ± 62 | 247 ± 61 | 0.910 |
| Transferrin saturation, % | 21.0 ± 9.7 | 19.8 ± 10.5 | 0.682 |
| ID indices | |||
| Ferritin level <100 ng/ml | 13 (39) | 20 (45) | 0.647 |
| Transferrin saturation <20% | 18 (58) | 26 (62) | 0.811 |
| IDb | 21 (64) | 32 (71) | 0.485 |
Data are expressed as number (%) or as the mean ± SD. RAAS = Renin angiotensin aldosterone system.
a
Calculated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation.
b
Defined as a serum ferritin level <100 ng/l or 100–299 ng/l with a transferrin saturation <20%.