Prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency in older Portuguese adults: An EMPIRE substudy

Abstract

Anemia and iron deficiency are highly prevalent in older Portuguese adults, particularly among those aged ≥80 years. Better diagnosis, prevention and treatment strategies should be implemented taking into account the outstanding role of iron deficiency in older Portuguese adults, the differences between regions and the intrinsic characteristics of this population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1814-1822.

Prevalence and prognostic impact of anemia and iron deficiency in patients hospitalized in an internal medicine ward: The PRO‐IRON study

“…Our findings confirm that anemia, IDA, ID, and IDWA are highly prevalent in the acute phase of disease of this unselected population of hospitalized patients. Indeed, prevalence of anemia (ie, 67%) was higher than that which was recently reported in the Portuguese general population (ie, 20%), old population (ie, ≥65 years, 21%), and very old population (ie, ≥80 years, 31%) . Moreover, prevalence of IDA (ie, 41%) and ID (ie, 58%) in our study population was also higher than that which was presented in the Portuguese general population for ferritin levels <30 ng/mL (10.9% for IDA and 31.9% for ID, respectively) .…”

“…In 2002, worldwide prevalence of anemia, diagnosed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria—hemoglobin <12 g/dL for females and <13 g/dL for males—was estimated to be around 25% in the general adult population and 24% in people over 60 years of age . Recent studies have reported that anemia is present in 6% to 22% of females and 8% to 20% of males above 65 years of age, in 29% of females and 34% of males above 80 years of age, reaching a higher prevalence of 41% to 66% in hospitalized elderly patients …”

“…Anemia has multiple etiologies, such as nutritional deficiencies (ie, iron, folate, and vitamin B 12 ), acute or chronic blood loss, chronic diseases, and even other unknown causes . However, the most common cause for anemia is iron deficiency, accounting for more than half of the cases in the general population worldwide and about one‐third, or below, of the cases in the elderly population . Iron deficiency can occur in two main forms: absolute or functional.…”

“…Despite the potential negative prognostic impact of both anemia and iron deficiency, these comorbidities are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated in hospitalized patients, as in the general population . Internal medicine wards are not an exception .…”

Decreased platelet inhibition by P2Y12 receptor blockers in anaemia

“…Anaemia results from multifactorial conditions, is more common in elderly than in young persons and has a pronounced impact on health . It can be caused by nutritional deficiencies or chronic diseases (eg haematological diseases, chronic inflammation, haemolysis, chronic kidney disease), but is also to a high rate of unknown aetiology . Anaemia deteriorates the clinical outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction, and mortality rates due to heart failure are higher in anaemic patients…”