The Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Iron in Geriatric Hip Fracture Surgeries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#administration-intravenous #aged #cross-infection #hemoglobins #hip-fractures

The Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Iron in Geriatric Hip Fracture Surgeries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cao et al., 2022 | World J Surg | Meta Analysis

Citation

Cao Mu-Min, Chi Jia-Yu, ... Rui Yun-Feng. The Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Iron in Geriatric Hip Fracture Surgeries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. World J Surg. 2022-Nov;46(11):2595-2606. doi:10.1007/s00268-022-06690-y

Abstract

BACKGROUND: With the increasing evidence provided by recent high-quality studies, the intravenous iron appears to be a reliable therapy for blood administration in geriatric patients with hip fractures. Here, this systematic review and meta-analysis were aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of intravenous iron in geriatric patients sustaining hip fractures. METHODS: Potential pertinent literatures evaluating the effects of intravenous iron in the geriatric patients undergoing hip fractures were identified from Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. We performed a pairwise meta-analysis using fixed- and random-effects models, and the pooling of data was carried out by using RevMan 5.1. RESULTS: Four randomized controlled trials and four observational studies conform to inclusion criteria. The results of meta-analysis showed that intravenous iron reduced transfusion rates compared to the control group, yet the result did not reach statistical significance. The intravenous iron was related to lower transfusion volumes, shorter length of stay, and a reduced risk of nosocomial infections. And there was no significant difference in terms of the mortality and other complications between the treatment group and the control group. CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggests that intravenous iron reduces the transfusion volume, length of hospital stay, and risk of nosocomial infections. It takes about 7 days for intravenous iron to elevate hemoglobin by 1 g/dl and about 1 month for 2 g/dl. The safety profile of intravenous iron is also reassuring, and additional high-quality studies are needed.

Key Findings

Four randomized controlled trials and four observational studies conform to inclusion criteria. The results of meta-analysis showed that intravenous iron reduced transfusion rates compared to the control group, yet the result did not reach statistical significance. The intravenous iron was related to lower transfusion volumes, shorter length of stay, and a reduced risk of nosocomial infections. And there was no significant difference in terms of the mortality and other complications between the

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population hip fractures
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Administration, Intravenous
  • Aged
  • Cross Infection
  • Hemoglobins
  • Hip Fractures
  • Humans
  • Iron

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: iron

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09