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Updated: May 17, 2026

A Point-of-Care Method with Integrated Decision Support Tool to Estimate Anemia at Population Level
Published on: January 19, 2024
[Iron-deficiency anaemia in patients in their 80s]
Sophia E de Rooij1, Hilde Royen, Marije Hamaker
1Academisch Medisch Centrum, Afd. Inwendige geneeskunde, onderafdeling Geriatrie-Ouderengeneeskunde, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. s.e.derooij@amc.uva.nl
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.
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