Attitudes towards ferric derisomaltose among Swiss patients with iron deficiency and their treating physicians: the prospective, observational Real-CHOICE study.

Purpose Iron deficiency (ID) often leads to iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Oral iron supplements are frequently associated with gastrointestinal intolerance and poor adherence. Ferric derisomaltose (FDI), a single high-dose intravenous (IV) infusion, is another option. The real-world Real-CHOICE study investigated the attitudes of patients with IDA and ID without anemia (IDNA) towards IV iron therapy. Secondary objectives were the effectiveness and safety of FDI. Methods Real-CHOICE (NCT04318405) enrolled adults with IDA or IDNA in Switzerland. Custom questionnaires evaluated attitudes and treatment satisfaction at baseline and follow-up (≥ 12 weeks). Hemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation levels, and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were assessed. Results Of 319 patients (114 with IDA, 205 with IDNA) who received FDI, most were female (n = 305, 93.9%) and aged < 65 years (n = 298, 91.7%). Over three-quarters of patients were not hesitant to receive IV iron treatment at baseline (n = 228, 76.3%) and follow-up (n = 194, 78.2%). The proportion of patients whose attitude towards receiving IV iron therapy remained stable or improved at follow-up versus baseline was 86.1% (n = 204/237). Of 195 patients with available data, mean (standard deviation) changes from baseline to follow-up in hemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation levels were 1.15 (1.50) g/dL, 144.87 (131.77) µg/L, and 8.71% (13.29%), respectively. TEAEs and adverse drug reactions occurred in 76 (23.8%) and 22 patients (6.9%), respectively. Conclusion Real-CHOICE revealed favorable attitudes of patients and physicians towards IV iron therapies, particularly FDI, in a real-world setting. Improved hematologic parameters and favorable safety highlight FDI's potential as a clinically effective treatment for ID and IDA.