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.