The pale evidence for treatment of iron-deficiency anaemia in older people

The management of iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) in older individuals might appear relatively simple and uncontroversial. However, a combination of diagnostic challenges and increasing evidence for common treatments being poorly effective arguably render this a false assumption. The long-established practice of prescribing oral ferrous supplements is increasingly challenged by the wider availability and promotion of modern intravenous iron supplementation. It has brought into focus the need for evidence of efficacy and cost-effectiveness, particularly in terms of the balance of affordable person-centred benefits versus harm (‘realistic medicine’)