Iron Sucrose in Stage 3/4 Kidney Disease

One of the complications of late stage kidney disease is the development of a low red blood cell count (anaemia/low haemoglobin concentration). The Australian Commonwealth government limits funding of medications (called erythropoietic stimulating agents) to those patients who have already developed anaemia.There is evidence supporting the beneficial effects of maintaining a higher haemoglobin in these patients. Higher haemoglobin can delay the onset of dialysis and reduce the development of heart enlargement. However, the administration of erythropoietic stimulating agents is not without risk, including a high financial burden, worsening of high blood pressure and a rare complication called pure red cell aplasia.Previous studies have shown that patients with chronic kidney disease require additional iron to maintain the production of red blood cells. Thus it would be timely to determine if the administration of iron sucrose to these patients can maintain a near normal haemoglobin concentration, without the need to start an erythropoietic stimulating agent and possibly delaying dialysis.Study Hypothesis: That administration of iron sucrose is superior to standard care in the prevention of anaemia in patients with stage 3 /4 kidney disease.

Official Title

Assessment of the Use of Intravenous Iron Sucrose to Maintain Haemoglobin Levels and Delay the Onset of Use of Erythropoietic Agents and/or Dialysis in Stage 3/4 Chronic Kidney Disease.

Conditions

• Kidney Failure
• Anaemia

Study Type

Interventional

Study Design

Treatment, Randomised, Open Label, Active Control, Parallel Assignment, Safety/Efficacy Study.

Further Details

• The primary endpoint will be the change in Hb concentration at 12 months or termination (dialysis, commencement of an ESA). Minimum permitted enrolment is 6 months.

• The secondary endpoints will be the change in renal function (calculated creatinine clearance), the quality of life, the time taken to dialysis, the time from randomization to the requirement of an ESA and the number of hospitalization days.

Study Start

August 2004

Eligibility & Criteria

Total Enrolment

120

Contact Details

Principal Investigator:

Lawrence P McMahon, MD    
Melbourne Health 

Locations: 

Australia, New South Wales

Central Coast Health
Gosford, New South Wales
Australia, 2250

Royal North Shore Hospital
St Leonards, New South Wales
Australia, 2065

Australia, Queensland

Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital
Herston, Queensland
Australia, 4006

Australia, Victoria

The Royal Melbourne Hospital   
Melbourne, Victoria
Australia, 3050

Monash Medical Centre   
Clayton, Victoria
Australia, 3168

Australia, Western Australia 

Royal Perth Hospital
Perth, Western Australia
Australia, 6847