The prevalence of anemia in primary care

Anemia is a common occurrence in the primary care setting, and primary care physicians are often the first to detect its causes. Defined by the World Health Organization as serum hemoglobin (Hb) levels less than 13 g/dL in men and less than 12 g/dL in women, anemia affects persons of all ages and is especially prevalent in older adults. Older patients also appear to experience more profound consequences of anemia, such as an increased risk of morbidity, functional decline, and mortality. Nonetheless, the significance of anemia in the older patient population remains underappreciated, and the condition often goes undiagnosed and untreated. In this article, Dr Eisenstaedt reviews current evidence on the prevalence, causes, consequences, and management of the types of anemia most commonly encountered by the primary care physician and presents a detailed evaluation of the clinical considerations unique to anemia in older adults.