Impact of different diagnostic thresholds and the anaemia–ferritin–transferrin receptor model on the prevalence of anaemia and impaired iron status in older people

摘要

SIR—Anaemia is common in older people (defined here asnaged 65 years and older). Prevalence increases with age [1]:na systematic review of the literature has shown a wide rangenof estimates in the older population, ranging from 2.9% ton61% in men, and 3.3% to 41% in women [2], depending onnthe setting, age groups and definitions used [3]. Thresholdsndefining diagnosis of anaemia are therefore crucial and havenbeen the subject of considerable scientific debate [4, 5].nThe WHO criteria for anaemia uses a haemoglobinn(Hb) threshold of <12.0 g/dl (<7.5 mmol/l) for womennand <13.0 g/dl (<8.1 mmol/l) for men [6]. However,nthese criteria were developed in 1968 based on statisticalndistributions equivalent to two standard deviations belownthe mean in a reference sample aged <65 years. A lowernthreshold [Hb <11.5 g/dl (<7.2 mmol/l) for both sexes],nthe Joosten’s criterion, has been suggested for older peoplento identify all causes of anaemia [5].