Hemoglobin levels and Alzheimer disease: an epidemiologic study in India.
OBJECTIVE
Anemia is common in developing countries, where populations are aging rapidly. The authors explored the cross-sectional relationship between hemoglobin concentration and Alzheimer disease (AD) in a rural elderly sample in Ballabgarh, India.


METHODS
A clinical diagnostic evaluation for dementia and a hemoglobin estimation were performed in 605 persons selected by screening a larger community-based sample age 55+ years. Twenty-six participants met criteria for AD.


RESULTS
Hemoglobin was inversely associated with AD after adjustment for age, sex, and literacy.


CONCLUSIONS
Low hemoglobin is associated with AD and should be investigated further as a modifiable risk factor.
Pandav
Rajesh S
RS
Division of Geriatrics and Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, USA.
Chandra
Vijay
V
Dodge
Hiroko H
HH
DeKosky
Steven T
ST
Ganguli
Mary
M
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D006454:Hemoglobins