title: Evaluation and management of anemia in the elderly.
abstract: Anemia is now recognized as a risk factor for a number of adverse outcomes in the elderly, including hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. What constitutes appropriate evaluation and management for an elderly patient with anemia, and when to initiate a referral to a hematologist, are significant issues. Attempts to identify suggested hemoglobin levels for blood transfusion therapy have been confounded for elderly patients with their co-morbidities. Since no specific recommended hemoglobin threshold has stood the test of time, prudent transfusion practices to maintain hemoglobin thresholds of 9-10 g/dL in the elderly are indicated, unless or until evidence emerges to indicate otherwise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
authors.forename: Lawrence Tim
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Goodnough
authors.forename: Stanley L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Schrier
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans