The Definition of Anemia in Older Persons

Abstract
Anemia is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO),1 but for older persons the criteria for anemia may not be as widely accepted as for younger people. The hemoglobin concentration is lower on average in people of older age and could therefore necessitate an adjustment of the criteria.1 On the other hand, the decline in hemoglobin concentration during aging is small and may not require unique criteria.2