[The recommended reference values for anaemia in the elderly are of limited usefulness].
Recent epidemiological findings on the risk factors for mortality and functional impairment do not support lower cut-off values than the official WHO reference values for the definition of anaemia in the elderly, and even suggest higher limits. However, wide-scale application of such high Hb values for a full investigation of the causes of anaemia in clinical practice requires data on the effectiveness in terms of a net increase in quality of life at acceptable costs. At present, there are no evidence-based Hb limits for the elderly because such data are lacking. As a pragmatic way out, the WHO limits can be taken for a simple and non-invasive biochemical analysis of anaemia, but individual considerations, taking into account co-morbidity, life expectation and patients' preferences, are necessary for further diagnostic investigations such as colonoscopy or sternum puncture.
Olde Rikkert
M G M
MG
Universitair Medisch Centrum St Radboud, Kenniscentrum Geriatrie, 93I, Postbus g9IOI, 6500 HB Nijmegen. m.olde-rikkert@ger.umcn.nl
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D012016:Reference Values
D006454:Hemoglobins