Oral Iron for IBD Patients: Lessons Learned at Time of COVID-19 Pandemic

Oral Iron for IBD Patients: Lessons Learned at Time of COVID-19 Pandemic

Laurent Peyrin-Biroulet, Ferdinando D’Amico, Silvio Danese

Anemia is a frequent manifestation in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and requires tight monitoring and adequate supplementary therapy. Intravenous iron is the first-line treatment in subjects with moderate–severe anemia, active disease, or oral iron intolerance. On the other hand, oral iron is recommended in patients with mild anemia and inactive disease. However, during the current coronavirus pandemic, hospital activities have significantly changed, and all non-essential procedures, including non-urgent iron infusions, have been rescheduled. Oral iron, including both the traditional formulations with ferrous iron and the new ferric iron complexes, could constitute a valid alternative for anemia treatment. For this reason, we conducted a literature review, to summarize the scientific evidence on oral iron therapy in IBD patients with anemia.

2020

covid-19, inflammatory bowel disease, Anemia, iron deficiency, oral iron

10.3390/jcm9051536

Epidemiology and Health

Korean Society of Epidemiology

Medicine