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 .
Iron pre-load for major joint replacement.
Patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement frequently receive  blood transfusion . Homologous blood transfusion carries appreciable risks and should therefore be reduced to a minimum . We have investigated the use of preoperative oral iron supplements to optimize haemoglobin concentration and iron stores prior to surgery . All patients attending a preadmission clinic 4 weeks prior to primary hip or knee replacement had a haemoglobin measurement .  If the haemoglobin concentration ( Hb ) was less than 12 g dL-1 they were given a four week course of ferrous sulphate . If it was greater than or equal to 12 g dL-1 they were r and omized to a control group or given a supplementation course of ferrous sulphate .  One hundred patients were seen . Of these 18 ( 18 % ) had haemoglobin less than 12 g dL-1 and 16 were treated with iron . The mean Hb was 10.8 g dL-1 and mean cell volume ( MCV ) 86 . These patients increased their Hb by a mean 1.1 g dL-1 prior to admission ( P = 0.008 ) . MCV was the best predictor of response ( r = -0.63 , P < 0.02 ) . This group dropped their haemoglobin by a mean 1.4 g dL-1 in the first post-operative week . In the study groups there was no significant preoperative rise in Hb . However , the control group dropped their Hb by a mean 1.3 g dL-1 in the week following surgery compared with 0.4 g dL-1 in the group which had received iron supplements ( P < 0.001 ) . We conclude that at least 18 % of patients attending for hip or knee replacement in this region are frankly anaemic and benefit significantly from preoperative iron supplements over 4 weeks . Iron supplementation in patients without obvious anaemia protects against a fall in Hb during the immediate post-operative period , suggesting a widespread underlying depletion of iron stores in this group despite a normal Hb . Preoperative iron supplements may reduce transfusion requirements as part of a co-ordinated strategy in this group of patients
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 .