ABSTRACT
Anemia has traditionally been identified as an abnormal laboratory value, with a focus on whether or not it should be treated, rather than perceived as a serious clinical condition for which treatment is mandated (1). For example, a decision to manage anemia with blood transfusion is based on the relative risks and benefits, in which the estimated risks of a blood transfusion are quantifiable (2,3) and can be communicated to patients. But the magnitude of risks associated with an (untreated) anemia has been poorly understood, and has not been effectively conveyed to patients. In contrast to treatment strategies for other diseases, guidelines for the general management of anemia have only occasionally been
developed (4-6) and are usually limited to patients in particular clinical settings such as the anemia of chronic kidney disease (7,7a), anemia associated with malignancy or cancer treatment (8), or surgery (9,10).
