There were no statistically significant differences in adverse effects , length of hospitalisation or mortality .
Conclusion Oral iron raises haemoglobin levels in elderly people with iron deficiency anaemia by 0.35 g/dL after 4–6 weeks , but it is unclear if this results in tangible health benefits
Background Oral iron supplementation is used widely in older people despite observational studies suggesting it is ineffective .
Objective The aim of this systematic review was to determine if oral iron therapy is effective in elderly people with iron deficiency anaemia .
IRON-HF study: a randomized trial to assess the effects of iron in heart failure patients with anemia.
BACKGROUND Anemia in heart failure patients and has been associated with increased morbi-mortality . Previous studies have treated anemia in heart failure patients with either erythropoietin alone or combination of erythropoietin and intravenous ( i.v . ) iron . However , the effect of i.v . or oral ( p.o . ) iron supplementation alone in heart failure patients with anemia was virtually unknown . AIM To compare , in a double-blind design , the effects of i.v . iron versus p.o . iron in anemic heart failure patients . METHODS IRON-HF study was a multicenter , investigator initiated , r and omized , double-blind , placebo controlled trial that enrolled anemic heart failure patients with preserved renal function , low transferrin saturation ( TSat ) and low-to-moderately elevated ferritin levels . Interventions were Iron Sucrose i.v . 200 mg , once a week , for 5 weeks , ferrous sulfate 200 mg p.o . TID , for 8 weeks , or placebo . Primary endpoint was variation of peak oxygen consumption ( peak VO2 ) assessed by ergospirometry over 3 month follow-up . RESULTS Eighteen patients had full follow-up data . There was an increment of 3.5 ml/kg/min in peak VO2 in the i.v . iron group . There was no increment in peak VO2 in the p.o . iron group . Patients ' ferritin and TSat increased significantly in both treated groups . Hemoglobin increased similarly in all groups . CONCLUSION I.v . iron seems to be superior in improving functional capacity  of heart failure patients . However , correction of anemia seems to be at least similar between p.o . iron and i.v . iron supplementation
There were no statistically significant differences in adverse effects , length of hospitalisation or mortality .
Conclusion Oral iron raises haemoglobin levels in elderly people with iron deficiency anaemia by 0.35 g/dL after 4–6 weeks , but it is unclear if this results in tangible health benefits
Background Oral iron supplementation is used widely in older people despite observational studies suggesting it is ineffective .
Objective The aim of this systematic review was to determine if oral iron therapy is effective in elderly people with iron deficiency anaemia .