Iron deposit state and risk factors for anemia in the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the type of anemia, iron deposit and risk factors for anemia in the elderly.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 84 patients admitted to the geriatric inpatient ward of dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. The patients underwent anamnesis, administration of a dietary questionnaire which included SQFF and food recording, physical examination, laboratory investigations (blood, urine and benzidine test), chest x-ray, ECG and spirometry. Anemic elderly patients also underwent iron store measurements, including serum iron (SI), total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and serum ferritin (SF).


RESULTS
The proportion of anemia was 54.76%. Increased anemia was inversely correlated with increased body mass index (OR 0.870; 95% CI 0.762-0.994), serum albumin (OR 0.285; 95% CI 0.090-0.907) and calorie intake (OR 0.998; 95% CI 0.996-0.999), and positively correlated with renal impairment (OR 2.647; 95% CI 1.084-6.467). Anemia due to chronic disease (ACD) accounted for 21 subjects, 5 subjects with iron deficiency coexisting with ACD, 1 subject with megaloblastic anemia, and the cause of anemia in 19 patients could not be identified due to diagnostic procedural limitation. Most of the anemic elderly subjects had normal iron deposits. As many as 42.1% of the men and 44.4% of the women had elevated iron deposits. The level of hemoglobin, SI, TIBC in ACD patients were lower than in non-ACD patients (Hb 10.4 vs 10.8 g/dl, SI 58.71 vs. 92.38 ug/dl, TIBC 283.11 vs. 288.95 microg/dl). In contrast, serum ferritin levels in ACD patients were higher than in non-ACD (178.26 vs. 111.35 ng/ml).


CONCLUSIONS
Body mass index, serum albumin, calorie intake and renal impairment are risk factors for anemia in the elderly. Normal iron deposits accounted for 57.9% and 55.6% of anemic elderly men and women with elevated iron deposits.
Eliana
Fatimah
F
Department of Internal Medicine of the University of Indonesia, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central General Hospital, Jakarta.
Soejono
Czeresna H
CH
Widjanarko
Abidin
A
Albar
Zuljasri
Z
Bachtiar
Adang
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012709:Serum Albumin
D012709:Serum Albumin; D007501:Iron