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 .
Association of anaemia in primary care patients with chronic kidney disease: cross sectional study of quality improvement in chronic kidney disease (QICKD) trial data
Background Anaemia is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and treating anaemia in chronic kidney disease ( CKD ) may improve outcomes . However , little is known about the scope to improve primary care management of anaemia in CKD . Methods An observational study ( N = 1,099,292 ) with a nationally representative sample using anonymised routine primary care data from 127 Quality Improvement in CKD trial practice s ( IS RCT N5631023731 ) . We explored variables associated with anaemia in CKD : eGFR , haemoglobin ( Hb ) , mean corpuscular volume ( MCV ) , iron status , cardiovascular comorbidities , and use of therapy which associated with gastrointestinal bleeding , oral iron and deprivation score . We developed a linear regression model to identify variables amenable to improved primary care management . Results The prevalence of Stage 3–5 CKD was 6.76 % . Hb was lower in CKD ( 13.2 g/dl ) than without ( 13.7 g/dl ) . 22.2 % of people with CKD had World Health Organization defined anaemia ; 8.6 % had Hb ≤ 11 g/dl ; 3 % Hb ≤ 10 g/dl ; and 1 % Hb ≤ 9 g/dl . Normocytic anaemia was present in 80.5 % with Hb ≤ 11 ; 72.7 % with Hb ≤ 10 g/dl ; and 67.6 % with Hb ≤ 9 g/dl ; microcytic anaemia in 13.4 % with Hb ≤ 11 g/dl ; 20.8 % with Hb ≤ 10 g/dl ; and 24.9 % where Hb ≤ 9 g/dl . 82.7 % of people with microcytic and 58.8 % with normocytic anaemia ( Hb ≤ 11 g/dl ) had a low ferritin ( < 100ug/mL ) . Hypertension ( 67.2 % vs. 54 % ) and diabetes ( 30.7 % vs. 15.4 % ) were more prevalent in CKD and anaemia ; 61 % had been prescribed aspirin ; 73 % non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ) ; 14.1 % warfarin 12.4 % clopidogrel ; and 53.1 % aspirin and NSAID . 56.3 % of people with CKD and anaemia had been prescribed oral iron . The main limitations of the study are that routine data are inevitably incomplete and definitions of anaemia have not been st and ardised . Conclusions Medication review is needed in people with CKD and anaemia prior to considering erythropoietin or parenteral iron . Iron stores may be depleted in over > 60 % of people with normocytic anaemia . Prescribing oral iron has not corrected 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 .