There were no statistically significant differences in adverse effects , length of hospitalisation or mortality .
Conclusion Oral iron raises haemoglobin levels in elderly people with iron deficiency anaemia by 0.35 g/dL after 4–6 weeks , but it is unclear if this results in tangible health benefits
Background Oral iron supplementation is used widely in older people despite observational studies suggesting it is ineffective .
Objective The aim of this systematic review was to determine if oral iron therapy is effective in elderly people with iron deficiency anaemia .
Short course pre-operative ferrous sulphate supplementation--is it worthwhile in patients with colorectal cancer?
INTRODUCTION Pre-operative anaemia is well recognised in patients presenting with colorectal cancer ( CRC ) . While the benefits of long-term FeSO4 supplementation on Fe deficiency anaemia are well established , it is not known if short-course supplementation ( 2 - 3 weeks ) impacts significantly on pre-operative haemoglobin ( Hb ) levels . This study examines the impact of short-term , oral FeSO4 supplementation on patients undergoing surgery for CRC . PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients with CRC presenting to a single surgeon were included . At diagnosis , baseline  Hb  and  blood film  were checked on all patients who then received 200 mg tds of FeSO4 . Haemoglobin was rechecked pre-operatively and daily postoperatively . Patients requiring pre-operative blood transfusions were excluded from analysis . RESULTS Between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2006 , 117 patients were identified , 14 of whom were excluded . Patients received a median of 39 days ' treatment with FeSO4 . Fifty-eight ( 56.3 % ) patients were anaemic at presentation gaining a mean of 1.73 g/dl ( P<0.001 ) from short-course FeSO4 supplementation . Right-sided tumours ( lower mean Hb at presentation ; P=0.008 ) responded more to FeSO4 when compared to left-sided tumours ( P<0.017 ) . Increase in Hb was unrelated to pathological stage . The transfusion rate for all curative resections was 0.69 units/patient . For the historical cohort ( patients undergoing curative resection between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2003 ) , the mean transfusion rate fell from 1.69 units/patient . CONCLUSIONS Routine short-course supplementation with iron offers improved pre-operative Hb prior to surgery in CRC , especially in right-sided lesions and those with presenting anaemia
There were no statistically significant differences in adverse effects , length of hospitalisation or mortality .
Conclusion Oral iron raises haemoglobin levels in elderly people with iron deficiency anaemia by 0.35 g/dL after 4–6 weeks , but it is unclear if this results in tangible health benefits
Background Oral iron supplementation is used widely in older people despite observational studies suggesting it is ineffective .
Objective The aim of this systematic review was to determine if oral iron therapy is effective in elderly people with iron deficiency anaemia .