Psychometric properties of the intensive care delirium screening checklist when used by bedside nurses in clinical practice: a prospective descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: The Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) demonstrates good psychometric characteristics in research settings. However, evidence about these characteristics in pragmatic ICU settings is inconsistent. This study evaluated psychometric properties and user-friendliness of the ICDSC when administered by ICU nurses in daily practice. METHODS: This prospective study included 77 patients from a surgical intensive care unit. To examine the psychometric characteristics, the scores on the ICDSC (performed by bedside nurses) were compared with the scores on the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) (performed by researchers as gold standard). The user-friendliness was evaluated by 34 ICU nurses with a 20-item questionnaire. RESULTS: The ICDSC had an area under the curve of 0.843. It showed a good diagnostic accuracy with a sensitivity of 81.0%, a specificity of 87.7%, and a 53.1% positive and 96.4% negative predictive value. The overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient for all ICDSC scores was high (0.839). Overall, ICU nurses experienced the ICDSC as easy-to-use. The scale was usable in most surgical ICU patients. Yet, some nurses (11.8%) had problems to score the items 'inappropriate speech' and 'symptom fluctuation' in intubated patients. CONCLUSIONS: The ICDSC is a valid and user-friendly tool for delirium screening in daily ICU nursing practice. Yet, some problems were reported in intubated patients. Therefore, validation studies with specific focus on intubated patients are needed.

Effect of an interactive E-learning tool for delirium on patient and nursing outcomes in a geriatric hospital setting: findings of a before-after study.

BACKGROUND: Education of healthcare workers is a core element of multicomponent delirium strategies to improve delirium care and, consequently, patient outcomes. However, traditional educational strategies are notoriously difficult to implement. E-learning is hypothesised to be easier and more cost effective, but research evaluating effectiveness of delirium education through e-learning is scarce at present. Aim is to determine the effect of a nursing e-learning tool for delirium on: (1) in-hospital prevalence, duration and severity of delirium or mortality in hospitalized geriatric patients, and (2) geriatric nurses' knowledge and recognition regarding delirium. METHODS: A before-after study in a sample of patients enrolled pre-intervention (non-intervention cohort (NIC); n = 81) and post-intervention (intervention cohort (IC); n = 79), and nurses (n = 17) of a geriatric ward (university hospital). The intervention included an information session about using the e-learning tool, which consisted of 11 e-modules incorporating development of knowledge and skills in the prevention, detection and management of delirium, and the completion of a delirium e-learning tool during a three-month period. Key patient outcomes included in-hospital prevalence and duration of delirium (Confusion Assessment Method), delirium severity (Delirium Index) and mortality (in-hospital; 12 months post-admission); key nurse outcomes included delirium knowledge (Delirium Knowledge Questionnaire) and recognition (Case vignettes). Logistic regression and linear mixed models were used to analyse patient data; Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests, McNemar's or paired t-tests for nursing data. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the IC and NIC for in-hospital prevalence (21.5% versus 25.9%; p = 0.51) and duration of delirium (mean 4.2 ± SD 4.8 days versus 4.9 ± SD 4.8 days; p = 0.38). A trend towards a statistically significant lower delirium severity (IC versus NIC: difference estimate - 1.59; p = 0.08) was noted for delirious IC patients in a linear mixed model. No effect on patient mortality and on nurses' delirium knowledge (p = 0.43) and recognition (p = 1.0) was found. CONCLUSION: Our study, the first in its area to investigate effects of delirium e-learning on patient outcomes, demonstrated no benefits on both geriatric patients and nurses. Further research is needed to determine whether delirium e-learning nested within a larger educational approach inclusive of enabling and reinforcing strategies, would be effective. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN ( 82,293,702 , 27/06/2017).

Effect of anaemia on hand grip strength, walking speed, functionality and 1 year mortality in older hospitalized patients.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia is a common problem in hospitalized older patients and is recognized as a risk factor for a significant number of adverse outcomes. Data of the effect of anaemia on functional status during hospitalization and mortality after discharge are limited. Aim of the study is to examine whether there is an association between anaemia, hand grip strength, gait speed and basic activities of daily living (ADL) during hospitalization and mortality 1 year after discharge in geriatric patients. METHODS: In a prospective study, data on age, sex, body mass index, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), main clinical diagnosis, number of comorbidities, hand grip strength, gait speed, ADL, haemoglobin, C-reactive protein and estimated Glomerular filtration ratio (eGFR) were recorded in 220 older patients, admitted to the acute geriatric ward of a university hospital. Anaemia was defined as a haemoglobin level <13 g/dL for men and <12 g/dL for women and was further specified into severe (haemoglobin level <10 g/dL for both men and women) and moderate anaemia (haemoglobin between 10 and 12 g/dL for women and 10 and 13 g/dL for men). Gait speed (in meters per second) was calculated after a 4.5 m walk and hand grip strength (in kilogram) was assessed with a hydraulic hand dynamometer. Functionality was assessed in the six basic activities of daily living. Information about the vital status was obtained 1 year after discharge with a telephone call. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to examine the effect of the anaemia status on the walking speed, hand grip strength and premorbid ADL index and logistic regression analysis was used to examine whether anaemia could be identified as risk factors for mortality 12 months after discharge. RESULTS: Overall, 106 (48 %) patients had anaemia. Hand-grip strength, gait speed and ADL score were not significantly different between anaemic and non-anaemic hospitalized geriatric patients. After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, eGFR, MMSE, number of comorbidities and main clinical diagnosis, the means for hand-grip strength were 17.3, 19.9 and 19.1 kg (p = 0.38); for gait speed 0.57, 0.52 and 0.47 m/s (p = 0.28); and for the ADL score 3.50, 3.05 and 3.30 (p = 0.75) in patients with severe, moderate and without anaemia, respectively. In the unadjusted model, the odds ratio for mortality 1 year after discharge was 2.72 (95 % CI 1.20-6.14) and 4.70 (95 % CI 1.91-11.77) for moderate and severe anaemia, respectively, with no anaemia as the reference group. After adjustment for several confounders, a haemoglobin level less than 10 g/dl (OR 3.87; 95 % CI 1.25-11.99) remained significantly associated with an increased mortality over that 1 year period. CONCLUSION: Our results do not support that anaemia on admission is associated with a decline in physical performance (hand grip strength and gait speed) and functionality (ADL) during hospitalization in older patients. However, severe anaemia is a significant risk factor for an increased mortality over a 1 year period after discharge.

The effect of an interactive delirium e-learning tool on healthcare workers' delirium recognition, knowledge and strain in caring for delirious patients: a pilot pre-test/post-test study.

BACKGROUND: Studies investigating the effectiveness of delirium e-learning tools in clinical practice are scarce. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of a delirium e-learning tool on healthcare workers' delirium recognition, delirium knowledge and care strain in delirium. METHODS: A pilot pre-posttest study in a convenience sample of 59 healthcare workers recruited from medical, surgical, geronto-psychiatric and rehabilitation units of a university hospital. The intervention consisted of a live information session on how to use the e-learning tool and, a 2-month self-active learning program. The tool included 11 e-modules integrating knowledge and skill development in prevention, detection and management of delirium. Case vignettes, the Delirium Knowledge Questionnaire, and the Strain of Care for Delirium Index were used to measure delirium recognition, delirium knowledge and experienced care strain in delirium respectively. Subgroup analyses were performed for healthcare workers completing 0 to 6 versus 7 to 11 modules. RESULTS: The delirium recognition score improved significantly (mean 3.1 ± SD 0.9 versus 2.7 ± 1.1; P = 0.04), and more healthcare workers identified hypoactive (P = 0.04) and hyperactive (P = 0.007) delirium in the posttest compared to the pretest phase. A significant difference in the change of recognition levels over time between the 0 to 6 and 7 to 11 module groups was demonstrated (P = 0.03), with an improved recognition level in the posttest phase within the 7 to 11 module group (P = 0.007). After adjustment for potential confounders, this difference in the change over time was not significant (P = 0.07) and no change in recognition levels within the 7 to 11 module group was noted (P = 0.19). The knowledge score significantly improved in the posttest compared to the pretest phase (mean 31.7 ± SD2.6 versus 28.3 ± 4.5; P < 0.001), with a significant increased level within the 7 to 11 module group (unadjusted P < 0.001/adjusted P = 0.02). Overall, no difference between posttest and pretest phases was documented for care strain (P = 0.46). CONCLUSION: The e-learning tool improved healthcare workers' delirium recognition and knowledge. The effect of the tool is related to its level of completion, but was less explicit after controlling for potential confounders and warrants further investigation. The level of strain did not improve.

[Iron deficiency in the elderly]. / IJzergebreksanemie bij ouderen.

Anemia is a common diagnosis in the geriatric population, especially in institutionalized and hospitalized elderly. Most common etiologies for anemia in elderly people admitted to a geriatric ward are iron-deficiency anemia and anemia associated with chronic disease. Determination of serum ferritin is the most used assay in the differential diagnosis, despite low sensitivity and moderate specificity. New insights into iron homeostasis lead to new diagnostic assays such as serum hepcidin, serum transferrin receptor and reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent.Importance of proper diagnosis and treatment for this population is large since there is a correlation between anemia and morbidity - mortality. Anemia is usually defined as hemoglobin less than 12 g/dl for women and less than 13 g/dl for men. There is no consensus for which hemoglobinvalue an investigation into underlying pathology is obligatory. This needs to be evaluated depending on functional condition of the patient.

Detection of delirium in palliative care unit patients: a prospective descriptive study of the Delirium Observation Screening Scale administered by bedside nurses.

BACKGROUND: The Delirium Observation Screening Scale (DOS) is designed to detect delirium by nurses' observations and has shown good psychometric properties. Its use in palliative care unit patients has not been studied. AIM: To determine diagnostic and concurrent validity, internal consistency, and user-friendliness of the Delirium Observation Screening Scale administered by bedside nurses in palliative care unit patients. DESIGN: In this descriptive study, psychometric properties of the Delirium Observation Screening Scale were tested by comparing the performance on the Delirium Observation Screening Scale (bedside nurses) to the algorithm of the Confusion Assessment Method and the Delirium Index (DI) (researchers). Paired observations were collected on three time points. Afterward, the user-friendliness of the Delirium Observation Screening Scale was determined by bedside nurses using a questionnaire. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: In total, 48 patients were recruited from one palliative care unit (PCU) of a university hospital. Of the 14 eligible bedside nurses of the palliative care unit, 10 participated in the study. RESULTS: Delirium was present in 22.9% of patients. Diagnostic validity of the Delirium Observation Screening Scale was very good (area under the curve = 0.933), with 81.8% sensitivity, 96.1% specificity, 69.2% positive, and 98% negative predictive value. Concurrent validity of the Delirium Observation Screening Scale with the Delirium Index was moderate (rSpearman = 0.53, p = 0.001). The Cronbach's alpha for all Delirium Observation Screening Scale shift scores was 0.772. Generally, bedside nurses experienced the Delirium Observation Screening Scale as user-friendly. However, most Delirium Observation Screening Scale items (n = 11/13 items) need verbally active patients to perform the observations correctly. CONCLUSION: The Delirium Observation Screening Scale can be used for delirium screening in verbally active palliative care unit patients. The scale was rated as easy to use and relevant. Further validation studies in this population are required.

Prevalence of frailty and its ability to predict in hospital delirium, falls, and 6-month mortality in hospitalized older patients.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and significance of frailty are seldom studied in hospitalized patients. Aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of frailty and to determine the extent that frailty predicts delirium, falls and mortality in hospitalized older patients. METHODS: In a prospective study of 220 older patients, frailty was determined using the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) and the Study of Osteoporotic Fracture (SOF) frailty index. Patients were classified as nonfrail, prefrail, and frail, according to the specific criteria. Covariates included clinical and laboratory parameters. Outcome variables included in hospital delirium and falls, and 6-month mortality. RESULTS: The CHS frailty index was available in all 220 patients, of which 1.5% were classified as being nonfrail, 58.5% as prefrail, and 40% as frail. The SOF frailty index was available in 204 patients, of which 16% were classified as being nonfrail, 51.5% as prefrail, and 32.5% as frail. Frailty, as identified by the CHS and SOF indexes, was a significant risk factor for 6-month mortality. However, after adjustment for multiple risk factors, frailty remained a strong independent risk factor only for the model with the CHS index (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.7-12.8). Frailty (identified by CHS and SOF indexes) was not found to be a risk factor for delirium or falls. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty, as measured by the CHS index, is an independent risk factor for 6-month mortality. The CHS and the SOF indexes have limited value as risk assessment tools for specific geriatric syndromes (e.g., falls and delirium) in hospitalized older patients.

Iron deficiency anemia in older adults: A review.

Anemia in older adults is a risk factor for numerous negative outcomes. There is no standard definition, but in most studies, anemia is defined as a hemoglobin value <12 g/dL for women and <13 g/dL for men. Absolute iron deficiency anemia is defined as the combination of anemia and the absence of total body iron. Serum ferritin is the most frequently used diagnostic parameter, but its concentration increases with age and in the presence of inflammatory diseases. Other laboratory tests, such as transferrin saturation, soluble transferrin receptor and the soluble transferrin receptor/ferritin index might provide useful information, but there is a wide variety in the cut-off values and interpretation of the results. Recent research regarding hepcidin as a central regulator of iron homeostasis is promising, but it has not been used yet for the routine diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia. In older iron deficiency anemia patients, an esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy should be initiated in order to identify the underlying bleeding cause. CT colonography can replace a colonoscopy, and in specific cases, a video capsule is recommended. It remains crucial to keep in mind which potential benefits might be expected from these investigations in this vulnerable population, taking into account the comorbidity and life expectancy, and one should discuss in advance the possible therapeutic options and complications with the patient, a family member or a proxy. Oral iron administration is the standard treatment, but parenteral iron is a convenient and safe way to provide the total iron dose in one or a few sessions. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 373-379.

Detection of delirium by bedside nurses using the confusion assessment method.

A prospective, descriptive study was used to assess the diagnostic validity of the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) administered at the bedside by nurses in daily practice. Two different scoring methods of the CAM (the specific (SPEC) and sensitive (SENS) methods) were compared with a criterion standard (CAM completed by trained research nurses). During a 5-month period, all patients consecutively admitted to an acute geriatric ward of the University Hospitals of Leuven (Belgium) were enrolled in the study. The 258 elderly inpatients who were included underwent 641 paired but independent ratings of delirium by bedside and trained research nurses. Delirium was identified in 36 of the 258 patients (14%) or in 42 of the 641 paired observations (6.5%). The SENS method of the CAM algorithm as administered by bedside nurses had the greatest diagnostic accuracy, with 66.7% sensitivity and 90.7% specificity; the SPEC method had 23.8% sensitivity and 97.7% specificity. Bedside nurses had difficulties recognizing the features of acute onset, fluctuation, and altered level of consciousness. For both scoring methods, bedside nurses had difficulties with the identification of elderly patients with delirium but succeeded in diagnosing correctly those patients without delirium in more than 90% of observations. Given these results, additional education about delirium with special attention to guided training of bedside nurses in the use of an assessment strategy such as the CAM for the recognition of delirium symptoms is warranted.

Iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disease in geriatric hospitalized patients: How frequent are comorbidities as an additional explanation for the anemia?

AIM: Anemia is an important clinical problem in older patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether comorbidities as an additional explanation for the severity of the anemia are frequent, and might help to explain the anemia severity in older patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and the anemia of chronic disease (ACD). METHODS: In the present prospective study, 191 consecutive hospitalized older patients with IDA and the ACD were investigated. A peripheral blood count, C-reactive protein, standard iron parameters, serum vitamin B12 and folate, and renal and thyroidal function tests were analyzed. The attending geriatrician was responsible for the medical diagnosis and follow up. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients with IDA and 135 with the ACD were investigated. Just 24 patients with IDA had normal serum folate, vitamin B12 and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels without laboratory evidence of inflammation or chronic renal failure, but one of these patients was diagnosed with hemolytic anemia. Hence, 23 patients (41%) were diagnosed with "IDA only". "ACD only" was diagnosed in 104 patients (77%), and 22 patients (16%) with ACD had chronic renal failure. A myelodysplastic syndrome was found in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: Additional etiologies are often diagnosed in anemic older patients, but it remains unknown to what extent these diseases might influence the pathogenesis of the anemia. Individual and clinical judgment remain crucial to evaluating and treating older anemic patients.

Is analysis of the reticulocyte haemoglobin equivalent a useful test for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anaemia in geriatric patients?

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and anaemia of chronic disease (ACD) are common in elderly patients but there are no standard diagnostic criteria. The reticulocyte haemoglobin equivalent (Ret-He) is routinely measured by modern automated blood analysers and is an early indicator of iron deficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the Ret-He level as calculated by the Sysmex XE-5000 automated blood analyser is a useful parameter for the diagnosis of IDA in a geriatric hospitalized population. METHODS: In a prospective study, blood samples were collected in 26 geriatric patients with IDA and 111 patients with ACD diagnosed according to generally accepted laboratory and clinical criteria. A blood count including Ret-He, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and standard iron parameters was performed in each patient. RESULTS: Haemoglobin, Ret-He, MCV, MCH and MCHC levels were all significantly lower in IDA as compared to ACD patients. However, the area under the curve (AUC) was greater for MCH (0.87, 95% CI 0.78-0.95) and MCHC (0.86, 95% CI 0.76-0.96) then for Ret-He (0.828, 95% CI 0.73-0.93) and MCV (0.80, 95% CI 0.68-0.91). A Ret-He cut-off value of 26 pg had a sensitivity and specificity based on its optimal combination of 85% and 69% respectively. CONCLUSION: Analysis of Ret-He does not perform better than the classical red cell indices such as MCH and MCHC in differentiating IDA and ACD in geriatric patients.

Evaluation of the first commercial hepcidin ELISA for the differential diagnosis of anemia of chronic disease and iron deficiency anemia in hospitalized geriatric patients.

Introduction. Anemia is a frequent problem in hospitalized geriatric patients, and the anemia of chronic disease (ACD) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are the 2 most prevalent causes. The aim of the study was to assess the possible role of serum hepcidin in the differential diagnosis between ACD and IDA. Methods. We investigated serum hepcidin, iron status, anemia, and C-reactive protein in 39 consecutive geriatric patients with ACD and IDA. Serum hepcidin levels were determined using a commercial ELISA kit (DRG Instruments, Marburg, Germany). We also measured hepcidin in 26 healthy controls. Results. The serum hepcidin levels were not significantly higher in the 28 patients with ACD as compared to the 11 patients with IDA. Conclusions. The serum hepcidin levels measured using the commercial ELISA kit (DRG) do not appear to increase in older patients with ACD. It should be noted that an assay-specific problem could explain our results.

Iron status and colorectal cancer in symptomatic elderly patients.

OBJECTIVE: The study aim is to determine the relationship between the prevalence of colorectal cancer and iron status in elderly anemic and non-anemic patients. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 359 consecutive elderly patients, aged 70 years and more, who presented to a geriatric department and who underwent a total colonoscopy. The histopathologic diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma was the primary outcome measure, and its presence was compared with the iron status, evaluated by serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels. RESULTS: Less than half of the patients with colorectal carcinoma had iron-deficiency anemia. The prevalence of colorectal carcinoma was similar among patients with a serum ferritin level less than 50 microg/L (16%), between 50 and 100 mirog/L (20%), and greater than 100 microg/L (13%), and was not different between anemic and non-anemic patients. Sex (odds ratio for men 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-3.9) and increasing age (6.6% per year; 95% CI, 1.2-12.4), but not hemoglobin and serum ferritin, were independent risk factors for colorectal carcinoma. Those with a proximal colorectal carcinoma had a lower hemoglobin and ferritin level and a higher prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia compared with patients with a distal colorectal carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of colorectal carcinoma is high in anemic and non-anemic elderly symptomatic patients, irrespective of the iron status. Therefore, the decision to order a colonoscopy in older patients should not only be considered in patients with anemia or iron deficiency but also in patients with suspicious symptoms without anemia or iron deficiency.

Is anaemia a risk factor for delirium in an acute geriatric population?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Delirium is a common clinical problem in elderly patients. We aim to investigate whether anaemia is a risk factor for delirium in a hospitalized geriatric population. METHODS: During a 5-month prospective study, we investigated 190 elderly patients aged 70 years and older with a baseline Mini-Mental State Examination (short version), Confusion Assessment Method, demographic, clinical and laboratory data. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were identified as delirious and 95 as anaemic according to the WHO criteria. Stepwise logistic regression revealed that anaemia (haemoglobin level <12 g/l in women and <13 g/l in men), male sex and a diagnosis of dementia were independent risk factors for delirium in the total study group. After adjustment for sex, age, diagnosis of dementia and dehydration, the odds ratio (OR) for anaemia (2.4; 95 CI = 1.02-5.54) remained significantly associated with delirium. When the study population was classified in groups according to sex, anaemia remained a significant risk factor for delirium in men (OR = 3.7; 95% CI = 1.03-15.6) after adjustment for the multiple variables but not in women (OR = 1.54; 95% CI = 0.48-4.9). When the haemoglobin levels were stratified into sex-specific quartiles, the adjusted OR for delirium for men with a haemoglobin level less than 11.1 g/dl was 13.1 (95% CI = 1.17-146). CONCLUSION: Anaemia is an independent risk factor for delirium and adds valuable information to previously validated predictive models in men but not in women and lower haemoglobin levels were associated with higher risk levels.

Strategies for the laboratory diagnosis of some common causes of anaemia in elderly patients.

Anaemia is a common medical problem in elderly patients and is associated with an increased mortality and morbidity risk and a reduced quality of life. It is not known at which exact haemoglobin level investigations should be initiated in order to optimize the diagnostic efficacy. Serum ferritin determination remains the most accurate laboratory test for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anaemia and its differential diagnosis with the anaemia of chronic disease. The introduction of the metabolites methylmalonic acid and homocysteine has made it possible to diagnose vitamin B(12) and folate deficiencies at an early subclinical stage, even without neurological and haematological symptoms, but the clinical importance of this 'biochemical' diagnosis is unclear. Other causes of anaemia, such as myelodysplastic syndromes and chronic renal insufficiency, will become more and more common in the elderly because of the ageing of the population. Although erythropoietin analysis has no clear diagnostic value at the moment, it has become more and more obvious that its therapeutic importance in elderly patients with chronic anaemia is increasing. A substantial number of patients have an unexplained anaemia. Whether this is disease related, or may be attributed to an age-related anaemia, is still a matter of debate, but it is advisable to perform an extensive laboratory, cytogenetic, and morphological investigation before one should assess the anaemia as unexplained.

Serum transferrin receptor in the evaluation of the iron status in elderly hospitalized patients with anemia.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate in an elderly hospitalized population the diagnostic value of the serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) in distinguishing IDA (iron deficiency anemia) from ACD (anemia of chronic disease) as compared to conventional laboratory tests of iron metabolism, especially serum ferritin. In a prospective study, 34 patients with IDA and 38 patients with ACD (a chronic disorder in 23 and an acute infection in 15) were evaluated using iron status tests including serum transferrin receptor assay. The iron stores were assessed by bone marrow examination. sTfR levels were elevated (>28.1 nmol/L) in 68% of the IDA patients but also in 43% of the patients with ACD-chronic inflammation and 33% with ACD-acute infection. Serum ferritin was the best test to differentiate IDA from ACD patients. We conclude that serum ferritin is a more sensitive and specific parameter than the sTfR assay to predict the bone marrow iron status in an elderly anemic population.