This article has been peer reviewed and published immediately upon acceptance.It is an open access article, which means that it can be downloaded, printed, and distributed freely, provided the work is properly cited.
Introduction and purpose: As healthcare develops, life expectancy increases. This makes anemia of the elderly an increasingly common problem. The appearance of this disease is influenced by many factors related to the aging process of the organism. The purpose of this study is to review information about the different mechanisms of anemia development in the elderly and to present the associated difficulties in medical practice. Description of the state of knowledge: Many different factors can affect the process of anemia. The causes of this disorder include chronic inflammatory diseases, cancer and nutritional deficiencies. Endocrine status is also important. The chronic inflammatory process may induce haemolysis and lead to the increased synthesis of hepcidin, which by blocking the activity of ferroportin leads to a decrease in the level of iron ions in the blood. Deficiency anemia often results from reduced appetite, inadequate quality of meals, chronic inflammation or taking medications without consulting a doctor. The consequence is a reduced level of iron and vitamin B12 and folic acid, which play a role in erythropoiesis. The hormones that play a significant role in the process of making red blood cells include erythropoietin, testosterone and thyroid hormones. Summary: Anemia is a common problem among geriatric patients and one of the factors contributing to the increase in mortality in this age group. In medical care it is difficult to distinguish which symptoms are pathological and which are related to the natural aging process, overlapping symptoms of many diseases and related diagnostic problems. Diagnostics is a particular challenge due to the multi-morbidity, which is associated with taking many drugs with different mechanisms of action and side effects. Keywords: anemia; aging; comorbidity; nutrient-deficiency anemia; inflammation
Introduction and purpose Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the process of erythropoiesis and the proper functioning of the nervous system. Its source for humans is food, in particular meat, eggs and shellfish. Cobalamin deficiency is a common problem among both geriatric and younger patients. The aim of this review is to analyze the causes of the deficit, to compare its incidence in different age groups and to try to explain potential differences between the groups. A brief description of the state knowledge Cobalamin deficiency can result from many different reasons, such as Addison-Biermer disease, damage to the ileum, use of metformin or proton pump inhibitors, insufficient supply in the diet, and less often genetic disorders. The deficiency phenomenon is more common in the elderly compared to other age groups, especially male patients with multiple comorbidities or in long-term care facilities. On the other hand, among younger people, a higher incidence is observed in the case of high body weight or height. Summary Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common clinical problem, especially among geriatric patients. Most often, cobalamin deficiency may result from reasons related to its improper absorption or deficiency in the diet, while the factors contributing to the deficiency vary depending on the age group. Elderly patients, especially those with additional risk factors, should be carefully monitored for vitamin B12 deficiency.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.