Abstract
Objective: Aging is associated with increased risk of developing anemia and micronutrient deficiencies. Wheat-based staple foods are iron fortified in Chile. We aimed to establish the prevalence and etiology of anemia in apparently healthy free-living elderly subjects.
Design and setting: A cross-sectional study was performed in an outpatient clinic of Santiago, Chile.
Subjects and methods: A group of 274 subjects (93 men, 181 women)≥60 y old living at home and apparently healthy was studied. Clinical and anthropometric evaluations and dietary survey were performed. Complete blood count, and status of iron, copper, folate, vitamins B12 and A and C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were measured.
Results: Prevalence of anemia was 5.4% for men and 4.4% for women. Subjects with inflammatory process had a higher prevalence of anemia (22.2% men, 31.6% women). Abnormal serum retinol (<0.35 µmol/l) was found in 13.7% of men and 15.9% of women. Prevalence of folate deficiency (<7 nmol/l) was 50.5% in men and 33.1% in women. Low serum vitamin B12 (<148 pmol/l) was present in 51.1% of men and 30.9% of women. Iron and copper deficiencies were infrequent.
Conclusions: Anemia is not prevalent in free-living elderly subjects when iron intake is adequate. Inflammatory process is the main etiology of anemia in this age group. Vitamin A, folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies were found in a significant proportion of the study group.
Sponsorship: Sandoz Foundation for Gerontological Research.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2000) 54, 834–839
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Guarantor: M Olivares.
Contributors: The paper was written primarily by MO and EH with the assistance of the other authors. All authors contributed to the design, implementation of the study, analysis and discussion of the results of the study, and approved the final version of the manuscript.
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Olivares, M., Hertrampf, E., Capurro, M. et al. Prevalence of anemia in elderly subjects living at home: role of micronutrient deficiency and inflammation. Eur J Clin Nutr 54, 834–839 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601099
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601099
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