Short-Term Impact of Anemia on Mortality: Evidence From a Sample of Mexican Older Adults.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the short-term (14 months) impact of anemia on mortality among Mexican older adults (OAs).


METHODS
Longitudinal analyses using data from a quasi-experimental study in a non-contributory pension program in Mexico with a sample of 3,621 OAs aged 65 to 74 years. Data on health, nutrition, life conditions, and mortality were gathered at both baseline and follow-up. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the impact of anemia and hemoglobin quintiles on mortality.


RESULTS
Overall mortality rate was 2.1%. Both mild anemia and moderate/severe anemia increased mortality risk at 14 months (odds ratio [OR] = 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.1, 4.1]; and OR = 6, 95% CI = [2.1, 16.9], respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
In the short term, degree of severity of anemia is an independent predictor of mortality risk. Because anemia is a modifiable factor, further research is required to better understand this condition in terms of main causes, prevention, treatment, and impact on OAs' survival.
National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Vanessa
V
De la Cruz-Góngora
National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Betty
B
Manrique-Espinoza
National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Salvador
S
Villalpando
National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Martha María
MM
Téllez-Rojo Solís
National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico asalinas@insp.mx.
Aarón
A
Salinas-Rodriguez
Mexican older adults; anemia; mortality