Management of iron deficiency anaemia in secondary care across England between 2012 and 2018: a real-world analysis of Hospital Episode Statistics

ObjectiveIron deficiency anaemia (IDA) occurs in 2%–5% of men and postmenopausal women in the developed world and, if left untreated, can significantly impair quality of life or decompensate chronic illnesses. Approximately 10% of men and postmenopausal women with IDA have underlying gastrointestinal malignancy. This study identifies trends in the management of IDA in secondary care in England.Design/methodThe Hospital Episode Statistics database was used to analyse IDA-related hospital and outpatient admissions (elective and non-elective) in National Health Service England between April 2012 and March 2018. Outcome measures included rates of readmission, length of stay (LOS) and cost per admission.ResultsBetween 2012/2013 and 2017/2018, there was a 72% increase in hospital admissions for patients with a primary diagnosis of IDA and a 68% increase in hospital spells, with the number of cases being managed non-electively increasing by 58%. Non-electively managed patients had a longer LOS (3.10 vs 0.04 days, respectively) and increased rate of readmissions within 30 days (24.1% vs 6.6%) versus patients managed electively. Average day-case cost was £449 versus £1676 for non-elective admission. Across the 195 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in England, non-elective spells per 100 000 population demonstrated extensive and widening variability, ranging from 18 to 118 in 2017/2018 compared with 11–55 in 2012/2013.ConclusionThe current analysis highlights several opportunities to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. There is an opportunity to improve day-case services by looking at the difference between CCGs and the variability in care and to reduce the number of non-elective admissions.