In multiple clinical settings, anemia has been associated with increased risk for poor outcomes such as lower health-related quality of life, more frequent hospitalizations and higher mortality.1-3  The World Health Organization defines anemia as a hemoglobin value <12 g/dL in women and <13 g/dL in men. These definitions of anemia are clinically relevant, as data from the Network of Ontario Transfusion Coordinators (ONTraC) has demonstrated an increased rate of transfusion at preoperative hemoglobin values below 13 g/dL, and other retrospective data demonstrate an increase in mortality near these thresholds.6,7  Treating anemia with red blood cell transfusions also has associated morbidity risk.8,9  Patients who are admitted to the hospital with normal hemoglobin values and subsequently developed hospital-acquired anemia have an increased risk for in-hospital mortality.10,11 Hence, anemia should not be considered an innocent bystander,12 but...

You do not currently have access to this content.