Anemia is a common problem in the elderly and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. More than 10% of all individuals above the age of 65 have anemia. Because an increasing proportion of the world's population is aged 65 and older, it is inevitable that the prevalence of anemia will increase in the future. Thus, early diagnosis of anemia is important to prevent the condition from worsening, to slow disease progression, and improve outcomes in patients. The WHO definition of anemia (hemoglobin concentration <12 g/dL, in women and <13 g/dL, in men) is most often used in epidemiologic studies of older adults. Among older adults with anemia approximately one-third have evidence of iron, folate, and/or vitamin B12 deficiency, another third have renal insufficiency and/or chronic inflammation, and the remaining third have anemia that is unexplained. Anemia due to iron deficiency (IDA) is microcytic and hypochromic. Low serum ferritin levels, high total iron-binding capacity, low transferrin saturation, high concentrations of soluble transferrin receptor, and absent bone marrow iron stores accompany IDA. Iron deficiency in the elderly usually occurs as a result of chronic gastrointestinal blood loss caused by gastritis, ulcers, colon cancer, or angiodysplasia. Gastrointestinal tract abnormalities can be identified in the majority of patients with IDA. In some cases, inadequate intake or inadequate absorption of iron may contribute to the anemia. However, in all cases blood loss should be investigated and excluded before assuming that iron deficiency is due to other causes. Treatment includes stopping blood loss and replacing iron.
Iron deficiency; anemia; elderly