Conclusions All currently available intravenous iron preparations appear to be safe and effective , but ferric carboxymaltose seems to provide a better and quicker correction of haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels in iron-deficient patients
Background Iron deficiency is very common in a number of medical conditions .
Ferric carboxymaltose is a new stable iron preparation that can be administered in single infusions over short periods of time .
The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) regarding the efficacy and safety of the novel complex compared with other iron formulations .
In addition , the feasibility of a network meta- analysis for indirect comparisons was investigated .
Cost-effectiveness analysis of ferric carboxymaltose in iron-deficient patients with chronic heart failure in Sweden
Abstract Objective : Iron deficiency is a common but treatable comorbidity in chronic heart failure ( CHF ) that is associated with impaired health-related quality -of-life ( HRQoL ) . This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of the intravenous iron preparation ferric carboxymaltose ( FCM ) for the treatment of iron deficiency in CHF from a Swedish healthcare perspective . Methods : A cost-effectiveness analysis with a time horizon of 24 weeks was performed to compare FCM treatment with placebo . Data on health outcomes and medical re source use were mainly taken from the FAIR-HF trial and combined with Swedish cost data . An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio ( ICER ) was calculated as well as the change in per-patient costs for primary care and hospital care . Results : In the FCM group compared with placebo  , quality -adjusted life years ( QALYs ) are higher ( difference = 0.037 QALYs ) , but so are per-patient costs [ ( difference = SEK 2789 ( € 303 ) ] . Primary care and hospital care equally share the additional costs , but within hospitals there is a major shift of costs from inpatient care to outpatient care . The ICER is SEK 75,389 ( € 8194 ) per QALY . The robustness of the result is supported by sensitivity analyses . Conclusions : Treatment of iron deficiency in CHF with FCM compared with placebo is estimated to be cost-effective . The ICER in the base case scenario is twice as high as previously thought , but noticeably below SEK 500,000 ( € 54,300 ) per QALY , an informal average reference value used by the Swedish Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency . Increased HRQoL and fewer hospitalizations are the key drivers of this result
Conclusions All currently available intravenous iron preparations appear to be safe and effective , but ferric carboxymaltose seems to provide a better and quicker correction of haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels in iron-deficient patients
Background Iron deficiency is very common in a number of medical conditions .
Ferric carboxymaltose is a new stable iron preparation that can be administered in single infusions over short periods of time .
The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) regarding the efficacy and safety of the novel complex compared with other iron formulations .
In addition , the feasibility of a network meta- analysis for indirect comparisons was investigated .