The recommended reference values for anaemia in the elderly are of limited usefulness
Olde Rikkert, M.G.M.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 150(18): 999-1001
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 16715860 Document Number: 601627
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.