Review: Anemia Guidelines

The following review is taken from the Canadian Family Physician website:

http://www.cfpc.ca/cfp/2005/jun/vol51-jun-fpwatch-2.asp

Guidelines for the management of anemia, 1st ed

authors: Anemia Review Panel

MUMS Guideline Clearinghouse, 790 Bay St, Suite 1150, Toronto, ON MG5 1N8; telephone (416) 597-6867; fax (416) 597-8574; e-mail guidelines@mumshealth.com

2004/78 pp/$20

OVERALL RATING Very good
STRENGTHS Thorough review, fact filled
WEAKNESSES Nothing major
AUDIENCE Primary care physicians

Guidelines for the Management of Anemia by the Anemia Review Panel is a good resource for primary care practitioners. The material is presented in tables with very extensive footnotes. The authors are moderately successful at addressing the complex topic of anemia in a simple format. A useful list of associations and support groups and an up-to-date bibliography are included.

This 78-page book is crammed with facts, some of which will be superfluous for average family physicians (eg, overview of uncommon anemias). There are two main sections—making the diagnosis and managing anemias—and an appendix longer than the two sections combined. These divisions are not crisp, and discussions flow from one section to the next and into the appendix, although page references are provided for continuity. The examination of diagnostic tests for investigation of anemia appears complete and the tests are well discussed. As a laboratory physician, however, I would like to see added algorithms or menus of recommended tests for common anemias.

Common anemias are well classified and well defined, based on mean corpuscular volume and red cell distribution width. The tables in the management section are practical and clear. They guide readers well through stepwise preventive and therapeutic approaches. The anemias are well reviewed under the broad classifications of microcytic, normocytic, and macrocytic.

The extensive appendix revisits clinical presentation and diagnostic criteria. It also includes some fact sheets, a few of which will be useful (eg, patient information about iron).

Overall, I recommend this book as a valuable resource for primary care practitioners. Anemia is relatively common, but its diagnosis might be difficult to establish.

—Dr Victor Prabhakaran, MD, DLO(LOND), FRCPC

Dr Prabhakaran is a laboratory physician, a Medical Leader in the disciplines of Biochemistry and Immunology at the London Health Sciences Centre, and a Professor of Biochemistry and Pathology at the University of Western Ontario.