Jahnavi Daru & Javier Zamora. Defining global thresholds for anaemia: a challenging mission
The Lancet Haematology. 2024
"Rethinking Anaemia: Global Thresholds Under Scrutiny to Save Lives" - Dr. Javier Zamora-
Summary:
The article addresses the complexities involved in establishing global criteria for diagnosing anaemia, a condition defined by low haemoglobin levels. Anaemia has wide-ranging health implications, prompting interventions like micronutrient supplementation and, in severe cases, blood transfusions. Preventing and managing anaemia, particularly in women and children, is a priority in the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Despite its importance, the thresholds commonly used to diagnose anaemia are often arbitrary, failing to account for biological, geographical, and socio-economic factors.
This debate has been addressed on various occasions, as in the Lancet paper that this commentary encompasses, by analyzing data from multiple international sources to propose more accurate thresholds. However, these analyses are frequently based on data from high-income countries like the USA, England, and Australia, which limits their applicability to low-and middle-income countries, where the burden of anaemia is highest.
A deeper analysis published in The Lancet Global Health, also co-authored by the authors, Javier Zamora and Jahnavi Daru, highlights the severe consequences of anaemia, particularly its association with increased maternal mortality in women. The study emphasized the critical importance of addressing anaemia in reproductive-aged women to reduce these risks. This adds urgency to the need for accurate global anaemia thresholds, as poor diagnosis could lead to insufficient interventions.
The article also touches on the debate regarding sex-specific thresholds for anaemia diagnosis, which involve cultural, biological, and health access factors. In conclusion, defining global thresholds for anaemia remains complex but crucial for effective public health interventions, particularly in regions with high anaemia prevalence.
Why do you highlight this publication?
This article is important as it challenges current anaemia diagnosis thresholds, influencing global health policies and improving interventions to reduce maternal mortality and anaemia-related burdens.
Publication commented by:
Dr. Javier Zamora
Epidemiology and clinical biostatistics group & Clinical Biostatistics Unit-IRYCIS
Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal
