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Category: Project

Description: Abstract Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to map the existing evidence regarding type and cut-off values for diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic biomarkers in patients with preoperative iron-deficiency, with or without anemia (ID(A)). Introduction: Preoperative anaemia is associated with poor postoperative outcomes. The detection and treatment of ID(A) is an essential part of Patient Blood Management (PBM) programs. For the diagnosis, prediction or prognosis of ID(A) haemoglobin, transferrin, and transferrin saturation (TSAT) are commonly used. Also newer biomarkers such as reticulocyte hemoglobin (Ret-He) or zinc protoporphyrin have been considered recently. Although these biomarkers are used routinely to diagnose ID(A) a variety of guideline-recommended cut-off values exists. Inclusion criteria: This review will focus on patients ≥18 years in which blood-based or non-invasive biomarkers are used 1) to diagnose ID(A), 2) to predict efficacy or safety of iron supplementation with or without erythropoietin (EPO), and 3) to prognose adverse intra- / postoperative outcomes (until hospital discharge) in patients with preoperative ID(A). Only surgical patients will be included. Patients without confirmed iron-deficiency are excluded. Experimental studies containing exclusively animal or cell culture data will be excluded. Methods: MEDLINE (via Ovid) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (via Cochrane Library) will be systematically searched for published studies. Language will be limited to English and German without restrictions of publication date. Results will be imported to EndNote Reference manager and duplicates will be removed. The review process will involve two reviewers with a third reviewer resolving disagreements. The Covidence software will be used for the review process. Data will be extracted and organised with subsequent analysis. Ethics: This scoping review does not require research ethics approval.