What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to assess the diagnostic utility of ferritin and mean cell volume in detecting iron deficiency anaemia in cirrhosis patients.

December 8, 2025Blood

Detection of iron deficiency anaemia in cirrhosis: Diagnostic utility of ferritin and MCV in a large UK primary care cohort

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

Retrospective cohort study shows ferritin and MCV identify iron deficiency anaemia in cirrhosis, suggesting improved testing practices.

This research aims to assess the diagnostic utility of ferritin and mean cell volume in detecting iron deficiency anaemia in cirrhosis patients.
Conducted a retrospective cohort study using CPRD Aurum data from 2015-2021.
Included 43,083 adults with cirrhosis and at least one haemoglobin result.
Analyzed determinants of ferritin testing with time-dependent Cox models.
Evaluated sensitivity of MCV thresholds for iron deficiency anaemia.
Assessed haemoglobin response to oral iron using multivariable logistic regression.
Ferritin was tested in 55.7% of patients, with only 56.7% of anaemic patients tested within 90 days of low Hb.
38.2% of anaemic patients with MCV of 80–100 fL had no recorded ferritin.
IDAs sensitivity for MCV <95 fL reached 91%, but specificity diminished at higher ferritin thresholds.
Oral iron was linked to a higher likelihood of haemoglobin response, especially in those with low baseline ferritin or MCV.
Current ferritin and MCV thresholds may miss diagnosis and treatment opportunities.

Wright et al. (2025) studied this question.

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark