Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Chronic anemia due to gastrointestinal bleeding: when do gastroenterologists transfuse?

Background: The hypothesis is that decision-making for transfusion varies considerably among gastroenterologists. The aim is to identify preferences and predictors of transfusion decision-making in chronic anemia.

Study design and methods: Between February and April of 2015, a computerized adaptive choice-based conjoint survey was administered to gastroenterologists in the Netherlands. The survey included seven patient attributes: hemoglobin levels, hemoglobin stability, age, iron indices, the presence of anemia-related symptoms, cardiovascular comorbidities, and the number of transfusions in the past half year. Predictors of transfusion preferences were assessed by multivariable regression.

Results: 113 gastroenterologists completed the survey (response rate = 29%; mean age = 47 years; 24% women). Absolute hemoglobin level was the most important incentive of transfusion, accounting for 42% of decision-making, followed by age (15%), hemoglobin stability (12%), anemia-related symptoms (10%), and cardiovascular comorbidities (10%). A hemoglobin level >9.6 g/dL is an inflection point, where gastroenterologists would not prescribe transfusions. Age of the patient is more important in the decision-making process to younger gastroenterologists (OR -2.9, 95% CI -5.3 to -0.5).

Conclusion: Absolute hemoglobin level is the most important factor to transfusion decision-making. This is contradictory to transfusion guidelines for chronic anemia which address the importance of symptoms.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app