Prevalence and Comorbidities of Anemia in Hospitalized Adults

Anemia, characterized by a decline in hemoglobin levels insufficient to meet the body's physiological demands, poses significant health risks. Its unchecked presence in patients has been medically linked to a surge in mortality and morbidity rates and reduced treatment effectiveness.

This research aims to (1) determine the prevalence of anemia occurrence among adult patients hospitalized at Thumbay University Hospital, (2) highlight the comorbidities accompanying anemic patients, and (3) assess anemia patterns across different age groups, with a focus on young adults.

This hospital-centric, observational research analyzed the hematological test results of 437 patients. Participants were classified based on age, gender, hemoglobin concentration at admission, mean corpuscular volume, hospital stay duration, existing conditions and comorbidities at admission, and long-term medications. Anemia was diagnosed if hemoglobin levels were less than 120 g/L in females and under 130 g/L in males.

Among the hospitalized patients, 52.17% exhibited anemia, with females showing a higher prevalence than males. The highest occurrence of anemia was notably among the elderly population, particularly those over 65, while the lowest was found in adults aged between 31 and 40. The majority of cases were attributed to chronic disease-related anemia and infection, with the former being the most common underlying cause.

This research provides an assessment of anemia prevalence in a clinical setting, analyzing a substantial cohort of hospitalized adults. The results reveal a high occurrence of anemia, primarily mild or moderate, among patients admitted to internal medicine and long-term care wards. The study's findings can underscore the frequency of anemia in hospital settings. Further exploration is required to understand the heightened prevalence of anemia among young adults.