Grenswaarden voor anemie bij oude mensen

- According to the reference values of the World Health Organization (WHO), anaemia is defined as a haemoglobin (Hb) level < 8.1 mmol/l in men and < 7.5 mmol/l in women.

- Lower reference values are often used in older patients because many doctors consider a decreased Hb level to be physiological in advanced age.

- However, Hb values under the WHO reference values are associated with increased mortality in older persons.

- Moreover, a cause of the anaemia is found in > 80 of older persons with anaemia if further diagnostic tests are done.

- Decreased Hb levels are also associated with functional impairments such as mobility disorders.

- These findings apply not only to severely decreased Hb levels but also to Hb levels that are only slightly below the WHO reference values.

- Correspondingly, increased erythropoietin levels are seen in older persons with severely decreased Hb levels as well as in older persons with slightly decreased Hb levels.

- Thus, a decrease in the Hb level in advanced age is not physiological and the WHO reference values for anaemia are also valid for older persons.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2006;150:1002-6