title: [Iron-deficiency anaemia in patients in their 80s].
abstract: Iron-deficiency anaemia in very old patients is a frequent finding; this often poses a diagnostic dilemma for the physician. For example, should additional testing take place? And if so, what kind of tests? Is prescribing iron supplement therapy and adopting an expectative course sufficient? The two cases in this article illustrate different treatment strategies. If doubts about which strategy to choose arise, it is recommended that iron first be supplied and the effect of this treatment checked after three weeks. The haemoglobin level should have risen at least 0.7 mmol/l. If there has been no effect, supplemental (endoscopic) examinations may be considered, provided they meet a therapeutic goal.
authors.affiliation: Academisch Medisch Centrum, Afd. Inwendige geneeskunde, onderafdeling Geriatrie-Ouderengeneeskunde, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. s.e.derooij@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: Sophia E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: de Rooij
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Royen
authors.forename: Marije
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamaker
authors.forename: Harmjo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Blom
authors.forename: Johanneke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Portielje
authors.forename: Joep F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Bartelsman
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D007501:Iron