Distribution of Haemoglobin in Patients Presenting to Their General Practitioner, and its Correlation with Serum Ferritin

Abstract

SUMMARY. We have conducted a survey in the United Kingdom in order to evaluate the prevalence of anaemia and of iron deficiency in elderly male and female patients and in female patients of child-bearing age presenting to their general practitioner. Although haemoglobin values were approximately normally distributed, there was evidence of a bimodal distribution of serum ferritin values, particularly in elderly men. A correlation between serum ferritin and haemoglobin values was found to exist, both in the elderly and in younger women.The overall prevalence of anaemia in the study population was 14'3%, although it was higher for elderly men (20,1%) than either elderly women (13'7%) or women of child-bearing age (11'9%). Iron deficiency associated with anaemia was more common in elderly men (45,2% of those anaemic) than elderly women (28'6%) or women of child-bearing age (25'6%).This survey indicates that the prevalence of anaemia among certain groups of high risk patients presenting for consultation to their general practitioner is about 1 in 7, although the prevalence is as high as 1 in 5 in elderly men. Additional key phrases: ferritin; anaemia; general practiceAnaemia may be one of the more prevalent undiagnosed conditions in the community. Previous studies of haemoglobin concentrations have used random samples of the general population. H In these studies, the criteria for anaemia have ranged from a haemoglobin concentration below 12·5 to 13'Og/dL for men and 11·5 to 12·0g/dl, for women. Excluding pregnant women, the prevalence of anaemia was variously estimated as between 2·9% and 13·25% for men and 2·4% and 20·0% for women. Certain groups are thought to be at risk, specifically women of child-bearing age and the elderly.Serum ferritin concentrations correlate well with body iron stores, and can be used as indicators of iron deficiency or overload.':" Ferritin concentrations in women tend to be lower than in men, which is thought to reflect decreased iron stores through iron loss in menstruation.

Nutritional assessment of the iron status in a group of institutionalized elderly people in Madrid (Spain)

“…The results of the haematological and biochemical survey ( Challand et al, 1990;Dirren et al, 1991; Payette & Gray-Donald, 1991). The data showed a less worrying situation than might be suggested from the dietary data; this may be due to the fact that the DR for iron are set adding two standard deviations to the average requirements; consequently having lower intakes than the recommended amount does not necessarily result in deficiency (Horwath, 1989).…”

Evaluation of the Role of Hepcidin in Predicting the Therapeutic Efficacy of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent Treatment in Patients of Chronic Renal Failure

“…The assay principle combines a one step enzyme immunoassay sandwich method with a final fluorescent detection. [9]  Serum erythropoietin by ELISA using DRG* EPO ( Erythropoietin) (EIA-3646) kits. [10] Serum hepcidin measurements by ELISA technique using Cusabio reagents from Cusabio Biotech Co., LTD (USA).…”

Anemia Related Mortality in Inner Mongolia in 2008–2012

“…Over half and at least 30%-40% of pre-school children and pregnant women in developing countries and in industrialized countries, respectively, are anemic (WHO, 2015b). In addition, up to 25% of older people in the United States and in other Western countries are anemic based on WHO criteria (Chalmers et al, 2012), indicating that anemia is also highly prevalent in older people (Milward, 1999;Challand et al, 1990). disorder -and chronic inflammation) (WHO, 2014).…”