Prevalance and specialities of anemia in the elderly

BackgroundAnemia is a frequently encountered clinical condition that can be the cause or outcome of various diseases. Anemia affects people from all age groups; however, in such special groups as children, the pregnant and the elderly it poses a difference in terms of prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency and characteristics of anemia in the elderly population that has importance in many aspects.MethodWith this purpose in mind, 2298 people living in Yığılca, a district in the north-east of Düzce, were examined as part of Melen Study conducted between May-June 2010. All participants scanned by physical examination, medical history and laboratory examinations and 430 participants aged 65 and above formed the focal point of this study as the ?geriatric group? to evaluate the frequency and morphology of anemia.ResultsOf 430 elderly participants, 138 (32%) were identified anemic. The prevalence rate of anemia was found 28% in women and 36% in men. The mean corpuscular volume was found within normal range in 94 participants, low in 41 participants and high in 1 participant. Iron deficiency was present in 96 (32%) elderly participants, 58 being women and 38 being men; and in this respect gender difference was found insignificant. Vitamin B12 deficiency was found in a total of 106 (24%) elderly participants and folate deficiency was found in 30 (6%) elderly participants. The etiologies of anemia were considered as iron deficiency anemia 41%, chronic inflammation anemia 8%, renal anemia 14% and unexplained anemia 37%.