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The distinction between iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and the anaemia that accompanies infection, inflammation or malignancy, commonly termed the anaemia of chronic disease (ACD), is often difficult, as the conventional laboratory indices of iron status are often influenced by acute phase responses. In recent years, the soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) has been introduced as a sensitive, early and highly quantitative new marker of iron depletion, increasing in proportion to tissue iron deficit. Unlike conventional laboratory tests, the sTfR is not an acute phase reactant and remains normal in patients with chronic disease. In this study TfR concentrations were compared with the gold standard of iron stores, bone marrow iron. The sTfR concentration was shown to be the most efficient test in predicting bone marrow iron stores in 20 patients with ACD (75% efficiency) and in 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (94% efficiency). Measurement of sTfR may be a useful addition in the differential diagnosis of ACD and IDA.

A report from panel members appointed to the Eighth Joint National Committee titled "2014 Evidence-Based Guideline for the Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults" has garnered much attention due to its major change in recommendations for hypertension treatment for patients ≥60 years of age and for their treatment goal. In response, certain groups have opposed the decision to initiate pharmacologic treatment to lower blood pressure (BP) at systolic BP ≥150 mm Hg and treat to a goal systolic BP of <150 mm Hg in the general population age ≥60 years. This paper contains 3 sections–an introduction followed by the opinions of 2 writing groups–outlining objections to or support of maintaining this proposed strategy in certain at-risk populations, namely African Americans, women, and the elderly. Several authors argue for maintaining current targets, as opposed to adopting the new recommendations, to allow for optimal treatment for older women and African Americans, helping to close sex and race/ethnicity gaps in cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality.

For patients without ACS/prior CABG, only 1% of patients undergoing CABG surgery who could be rated were found to be inappropriate for the procedure according to the ACCF appropriateness criteria, but 14% of the PCI patients who could be rated were found to be inappropriate, and 28% lacked enough noninvasive test information to be rated.