Same Day Infusion of Iron Therapy Is Associated With No Increased Risk for Adverse Events Among Patients Receiving Biological Infusions for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Goals: The goal of this study was to compare the relative safety of administering iron infusions on the same day as intravenous (IV) biological therapy to the administration of these treatments on different days in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Background: IV iron therapy is often required in patients with IBD. Many patients with IBD who receive IV iron therapy in the outpatient setting also receive biological infusion therapy for treatment of their IBD. Study: Patients with IBD who received IV iron therapy at a single infusion center were included. We compared documented infusion-related reactions in patients with patients receiving an iron infusion on the same day as their biological infusion to those who received their iron infusion on a different day. Results: Among 481 patients, 129 received an iron infusion on the same day as a biologic infusion. There was no significant difference in the incidence of infusion reaction when comparing patients who received biological infusion therapy in the same session as the iron infusion to those patients who received a biological infusion on a different day (5% vs. 7%, P=0.246) or any IBD-related therapy (5% vs. 8%, P=0.206). Conclusions: The frequency and type of infusion reactions in patients receiving IV iron therapy on the same day after IV therapy with biologics was not increased compared with patients who received a biological infusion on a different day. A sequential infusion of biological therapy followed by IV iron therapy may be a safe and cost-effective approach.

Automated summary

This study compared the safety of administering iron infusions and biological therapy on the same day or on different days in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The results showed no significant difference in the occurrence of infusion reactions between the two groups. Therefore, a sequential approach of biological therapy followed by iron infusion may be a safe and cost-effective option.