Anemia in the elderly. A survey of physicians' approaches to diagnosis and workup.

Anemia is one of the most common clinical problems encountered by physicians caring for elderly patients. There is controversy about whether anemia should be regarded as a "normal" concomitant of the aging process. A survey of 232 Maryland physicians was conducted to examine how they approach this problem. The levels of both hemoglobin and hematocrit at which practicing physicians diagnose and perform an anemia workup on elderly patients were lower than currently recommended. Physicians who see more elderly patients used significantly lower values of hemoglobin and hematocrit for the diagnosis and workup of anemia. There were no significant differences between family physicians and internists in their approach to diagnosis or workup of anemia in the elderly.