Spike in rate of IV iron therapy for women
Obstetricians say it raises concerns that some usage might be inappropriate
The number of women of reproductive age receiving intravenous iron therapy has spiked fivefold, Australian researchers say.
In an analysis of PBS data, they have shown the annual number of national dispensing claims for IV therapy jumped from 17,900 in 2013 to 97,000 in 2017, although the reasons for this are unclear.
The annual rate of IV therapy has risen from 0.4 claims per 100 women to 2.1 claims per 100 women over the five-year period.
The researchers, led by obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Antonia Shand from the Royal Hospital for Women and Westmead Clinical School in Sydney, said the rapid growth of the therapy raised some concerns.
