Home » Geriatric Anemia

Geriatric Anemia

January 16, 2018

Differential Diagnosis of Geriatric Anemia: Improving Outcomes for Treatable Causes

[print_link]

CME Information

Program Overview

Anemia is common in the elderly population and is the cause of significant morbidity and mortality. While two-thirds of geriatric anemia cases can be attributed to a nutritional deficiency or to chronic disease, a staggering one-third of cases are unidentified and may be due to a more ominous underlying condition such as bone marrow failure or hematologic malignancy. Increased awareness of the etiology and workup of geriatric anemia in order to improve outcomes to provide optimal management of these patients including who and when to refer is important. This video-based activity is designed to guide PCPs through the differential diagnosis of geriatric anemia, specifically using mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW), which are part of the standard complete blood count, to narrow differential diagnosis and guide subsequent evaluation. Practical information on differentiating and managing the various causes of geriatric anemia will be presented in a discussion between a primary care physician and a hematologist/oncologist, using real world clinical cases likely to be seen in primary practice.

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

Differentiate among the etiological causes of anemia seen in geriatric patients
Develop appropriate workup of elderly patients diagnosed with symptomatic anemia or anemia detected by incidental blood testing
Incorporate strategies to manage elderly patients with anemia due to iron deficiency, nutritional deficiency or chronic disease, and determine when it is appropriate to refer to a hematologist or gastroenterologist for further evaluation

Release/Expiration Date

This internet, enduring activity (audio/video) will be available for one year, beginning January 29, 2018 through January 29, 2019.

Accreditation – AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Primary Care Network (PCN) and Clarity Communications. Primary Care Network is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Primary Care Network designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

All other healthcare professionals will be issued a certificate of participation.

American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC)

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 0.5 Medical Knowledge MOC point in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

To receive CME credit and/or MOC points, you MUST complete the activity and the evaluation form. For ABIM MOC points, your information will be shared with the ABIM through PCN’s ACCME Program and Activity Reporting System (PARS). Please allow 6-8 weeks for your MOC points to appear on your ABIM records.