title: Prevalence and predictors of anemia in a population-based study of octogenarians and centenarians in Georgia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anemia has been associated with increased physical and financial costs and occurs more frequently in older individuals. Therefore, the primary objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence and possible predictors of anemia in the very old.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hemoglobin was used to identify those with anemia in a group of centenarians and near centenarians (98+, n = 185) and octogenarians (n = 69), who were recruited as part of the population-based multidisciplinary Georgia Centenarian Study. Blood markers, including ferritin, vitamin B12, red blood cell folate, methylmalonic acid, creatinine, and C-reactive protein, demographic variables, and medication and/or supplement usage were used to determine possible predictors of anemia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of anemia was 26.2% in octogenarians and 52.1% in centenarians. Low serum albumin (<3.6 g/dL) and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (<45 mL/min/m(2)) were predictors of anemia in centenarians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anemia is a major health issue, particularly as people age. Because of the high prevalence of anemia in older individuals, awareness of the predictors associated with anemia becomes increasingly important so as to reduce the negative consequences associated with it and allow for the identification of steps that can be taken to correct anemia, including managing chronic disease.
authors: Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, 280 Dawson Hall, Athens, GA 30602. dhausman@uga.edu.
authors: Alyson
authors: A
authors: Haslam
authors: Dorothy B
authors: DB
authors: Hausman
authors: Mary Ann
authors: MA
authors: Johnson
authors: Adam
authors: A
authors: Davey
authors: Leonard W
authors: LW
authors: Poon
authors: Robert H
authors: RH
authors: Allen
authors: Sally P
authors: SP
authors: Stabler
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid / Q000097:blood; D015995:Prevalence; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005293:Ferritins; D005492:Folic Acid; D003404:Creatinine; D014805:Vitamin B 12