Invited Commentary

Commentary on “Prevalence and Impact of Anemia in Hospitalized Patients”

Authors: Robert F. Reiss, MD

Abstract

The effects of anemia on the course of patients hospitalized for other conditions usually have been studied in defined groups of patients, many of whom were older adults (eg, those with congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). They show highly variable frequencies of concurrent anemia and nonuniformity of its effects on the course of other diseases that may relate to the definition of anemia, condition studied, and study design. For example, a review of studies of congestive heart failure showed that the prevalence of concurrent anemia varied from 9.9% to 55.6%, and although most studies showed a positive relation between anemia and both rehospitalization and increased mortality, it generally depended on the severity of the anemia.1 Similarly, the incidence of postoperative anemia from blood loss and its clinical implications have been subjects of limited study.

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References

1. Wexler D, Silverberg D, Sheps D, et al. Prevalence of anemia in patients admitted to the hospital with a primary diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Int J Cardiol 2004; 96: 79–87.
 
2. Rachoin JS, Cerceo E, Milcarek B, et a.. Prevalence and impact of anemia in hospitalized patients. South Med J 2013; 106: 202–206.
 
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5. Beutler E, Waalen J. The definition of anemia: what is the lower limit of normal of the hemoglobin concentration? Blood 2006; 107: 1747–1750.
 
6. Salisbury AC, Amin AP, Reid KJ, et al. Hospital-acquired anemia and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Am Heart J 2011; 162: 300–309.