A Study of Anemia in the Geriatric Population at a Tertiary Care Center

Anemia is among the most prevalent hematological disorders in the elderly population and is still a significant public health concern across the world. In the older population, this disorder usually has a multi-factorial origin, related to nutritional deficiency, chronic inflammation, renal insufficiency, or occult blood loss. Even mild anemia in the elderly has been associated with reduced physical ability, cognitive deficit, increased rates of admission to hospital, and increased mortality. Even though it is clinically important, anemia in the elderly is frequently underdiagnosed and not properly evaluated or investigated, especially in resource-limited settings. Understanding the prevalence, clinical presentation, and laboratory profile of anemia in the elderly is crucial in providing timely interventions that improve health outcomes.

To study the clinical presentation, laboratory profile, and hematological characteristics of anemia in elderly patients aged 60 years and above admitted at a tertiary health care center.

This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pune. A total of 160 patients above the age of 60, who presented with symptoms of anemia according to clinical assessment, were included. Demographic details, full symptomology, complete physical examination, and investigative results were documented. Blood tests and hematological work-up were based upon full blood count, peripheral smear, and relevant biochemistry. The data produced was organized from the master data source for analysis based on gender differences, symptomology, grade of severity of anemia, and overall cause of anemia.

The results of this study indicated that anemia was common in this cohort of older patients and was more present among women than men. The presenting symptoms of anemia were of easy fatigability, generalized weakness, breathlessness on exertion, and dizziness. Clinical examination most commonly found pallor, with a smaller number of patients presenting with pedal edema and a faint systolic murmur. The laboratory work-up identified microcytic hypochromic anemia as the most common type of anemia, followed by normocytic normochromic anemia. Severe anemia was less frequent; however, patients were found to have other comorbidities, including chronic kidney disease and chronic inflammatory disease. Nutritional deficiency caused most of the anemia, especially from iron and Vitamin B12, while there were fewer patients with anemia from chronic disease.

Anemia is prevalent in older patients, and the clinical and hematological findings differ. Microcytic hypochromic anemia of nutritional deficiency was the most common anemia type in this study. These findings endorse the routine screening of older people for anemia, appropriate diagnosis, and successful treatment of the underlying cause to minimize morbidity, enhance function, and reduce disability in elderly individuals.