Journal of clinical pathology
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The differential diagnosis between iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and anaemia of chronic disease (ACD) with or without associated iron deficiency can be challenging. We assessed the use of different parameters, both classical like ferritin, transferrin saturation and stainable bone marrow iron stores, and novel markers such as low haemoglobin density (LHD) and hepcidin to help discriminate between the three entities. This would allow the detection of patients with ACD with associated iron deficiency, which could benefit from iron supplementation that would have otherwise remained undetected. ⋯ LHD was superior to hepcidin and bone marrow iron stores in identifying patients with ACD and associated iron deficiency, which would potentially benefit from parenteral iron therapy.
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We wanted to improve the quality of histopathology addenda and amendments by introducing standardised nomenclature and procedures. ⋯ The introduction of standardised nomenclature and a visual work tool significantly improved the quality of histopathology addenda and amendments.