Functional outcomes of anemia in older adults.
Observational studies have consistently documented independent, strong associations of anemia--even if not severe--with major adverse functional outcomes in older adults. In this chapter, recent epidemiologic evidence linking mild anemia with decline in physical and cognitive function, frailty, and disability in community-dwelling older adults is reviewed. Altogether, these biologically plausible associations provide empirical, though not conclusive, support for the notion of mild anemia as a cause of adverse functional outcomes in older adults. Randomized clinical trial data assessing the impact of anemia correction on functional outcomes are lacking at this time.
Chaves
Paulo H M
PH
Center on Aging and Health, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, 2024 E. Monument Street, Baltimore, MD, USA. pchaves@jhsph.edu
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000209:etiology; D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003071:Cognition; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa