Borderline anaemia and postoperative outcome in women undergoing major abdominal surgery: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Pre-operative anaemia is typically diagnosed with a haemoglobin concentration < 120 g.l−1 for women and < 130 g.l−1 for men on the basis of limited evidence. This retrospective cohort study stratified women undergoing elective, major abdominal surgery based on pre-operative haemoglobin concentration: anaemic (< 120 g.l−1); borderline anaemic (120–129 g.l−1); and non-anaemic (> 130 g.l−1). Data from 1554 women were analysed. Women with borderline anaemia had a greater incidence of postoperative complications (55 (16%) vs. 110 (11%); p = 0.026), longer duration of hospital stay (median (IQR [range]) 3 (1–6 [0–69]) days vs. 2 (1–5 [0–80]) days; p = 0.017) and fewer days alive and out of hospita..