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Anaemia - iron deficiency - Management
Basis for recommendation
- Investigations in cases where the cause of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is unknown will generally depend on the age and sex of the person [Provan, 2007]. Extensive investigations could reasonably be considered unnecessary if there is confidence in the diagnosis and a person has a low risk of malignancy (e.g. a young woman with menorrhagia) [Galloway and Smellie, 2006].
- The recommendation on groups of people for whom empirical treatment may be considered is based on feedback from expert reviewers. The recommendation on investigating a pregnant woman is also based on a review of iron deficiency in pregnancy, obstetrics, and gynaecology [Baker, 2000].
- The recommendations on investigations in other people are based on guidelines for the management of iron deficiency anaemia from the British Society of Gastroenterology [British Society of Gastroenterology, 2005].
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