DIETARY LIFESTYLE, HYPOALBUMINAEMIA AND ANAEMIA AMONG OLDER ADULTS ATTENDING A PRIMARY CARE CLINIC IN NIGERIA: A...

Anaemia has been extensively studied in children and women of reproductive age. However, there are few data on anaemia and related conditions in the elderly from developing countries.

To determine the prevalence and severity pattern of anaemia, and assess the relationship between dietary lifestyle, hypoalbuminaemia, and anaemia in older persons.

A cross-sectional study involving 378 patients aged≥60 years who presented at the General Outpatient Clinic. Dietary lifestyle was assessed using a structured questionnaire. Samples were collected for packed cell volume and serum albumin. Inferential statistical analyses were used to determine the associations between variables.

A total of 348 respondents completed the study. The mean age of respondents was 67.83 ±7.53 years with female (60.9%) predominance. The prevalence of anaemia and hypoalbuminaemia were 42.2% and 17.8% respectively. Hypoalbuminaemia (β=0.335, 95%CI=0.131-0.229, P<0.001), long duration of co-morbidities (β= - 0.179, 95%CI= -0.165-0.047, P<0.001), one full meal/day (β=0.130, 95%CI=0.224-1.879, P=0.013), and low monthly income (β=0.122, 95%CI=0.179-1.543, P=0.026) were the predictors of anaemia among the elderly in this study.

Data on the predictors of anaemia from this study will be useful in developing guidelines and strategies for managing the condition in primary care settings and other similar sites.