Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe and classify anaemia based on laboratory tests from patients with new-onset anaemia detected in general practice. An additional aim was to analyse associations between patient characteristics and unclassified anaemia (not classifiable according to an algorithm).
DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study.
SETTING: Danish general practice.
SUBJECTS: A total of 62,731 patients (age: 40-90 years) with new-onset anaemia were identified in Danish laboratory information systems and nationwide registries, and data were obtained for 2014-2018.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured the proportion of patients classified into subtypes of anaemia based on blood tests requested by general practitioners within 31 days of the anaemia index date.
RESULTS: Of the 62,731 patients with new-onset anaemia, we identified unclassified anaemia in 78.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 77.3-80.5) of men and 65.1% (CI: 63.4-66.9) of women. The likelihood of unclassified anaemia increased with age, increasing comorbidity and decreasing severity of anaemia.
CONCLUSION: The majority of patients with new-onset anaemia could not be classified through a simple algorithm due to missing blood tests, which highlights a potential missed opportunity for diagnosis. Standardised laboratory testing of patients with anaemia is warranted to ensure adequate follow-up and early detection of underlying severe disease.KEY POINTSAnaemia can be a sign of malignancy, and anaemia classification is an important step in the diagnosis of underlying disorders.The majority of patients with anaemia could not be classified according to a simple algorithm due to missing blood tests.Some patient characteristics were associated with a high risk of unclassified anaemia: high age, high comorbidity, and severe anaemia.Standardised laboratory testing in patients with anaemia is needed to inform targeted diagnostic investigation to ensure timely diagnosis.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care |
Volume | 39 |
Issue number | 3 |
Pages (from-to) | 364-372 |
Number of pages | 9 |
ISSN | 0281-3432 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sep 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Keywords
- anaemia
- cross-sectional studies
- Denmark
- General practice
- haemoglobins
- primary health care
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Humans
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Denmark/epidemiology
- Family Practice
- General Practice
- Aged, 80 and over
- Adult
- Female
- Aged
- Anemia/diagnosis
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Insufficient classification of anaemia in general practice: a Danish register-based observational study
Hansen, A. T. (Creator), Emery, J. (Creator), Jensen, H. (Creator), Granfeldt ?stg?rd, L. S. (Contributor), Zalounina Falborg, A. (Creator), Vedsted, P. (Creator), Boennelykke, A. (Creator) & Christensen, K. S. (Creator), Taylor & Francis, 2021
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.15085734.v1, https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Insufficient_classification_of_anaemia_in_general_practice_a_Danish_register-based_observational_study/15085734/1
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Insufficient classification of anaemia in general practice: a Danish register-based observational study
Hansen, A. T. (Creator), Vedsted, P. (Creator), Christensen, K. S. (Creator), Granfeldt ?stg?rd, L. S. (Contributor), Boennelykke, A. (Creator), Jensen, H. (Creator), Emery, J. (Creator) & Zalounina Falborg, A. (Creator), Taylor & Francis, 2021
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.15085734.v2, https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Insufficient_classification_of_anaemia_in_general_practice_a_Danish_register-based_observational_study/15085734/2
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