Pattern of Anemia in Geriatric Patients:-A Hospital based Prospective Observational Study

Background: Anemia is a common condition in the elderly and a significant risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality, reducing not only functional capacity and mobility but also quality of life. Currently, few data are available regarding anemia in hospitalized geriatric patients. Material and Methods: Our study is hospital‑based prospective observational study, conducted in patients aged 60 years and above at Rural Tertiary care hospital Dr. RPGMC kangra at Tanda H.P. According to WHO, Anemia is defined as hemoglobin level less than 13 g/dl in men and 12 g/dl in women. Results:  Out 554 patients, 382 (69%) patients were found to be anemic. The male to female ratio was 1.36:1.  Anemia in males was 68.7% and in females 67.4% respectively. Based on peripheral smear all the patterns of anemia were found. Normocytic anemia was the commonest pattern constituting 76.35%. On the base of etiology  anemia of chronic disease (ACD) found  in 102 patients (26.7%) followed by iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in 99 patients (25.91%), hematological disorders in 81 (21.20%),  mixed in 13 (3.40%), vitamin B12 and folate deficiency in 14 (3.66%) and hypothyroidism in 3 patient (0.78%). Nutritional IDA was seen in seventeen patients. Conclusions: Substantial awareness of anemia in the elderly is justified due to its high prevalence and negative effect on outcomes, hospitalization duration, and mortality. Geriatric patients should be routinely screened for anemia and its etiological causes including gastrointestinal endoscopy and bone marrow if needed.背景：贫血是老年人群的常见病症，亦是发病率与死亡率升高的重要危险因素，其不仅会降低患者的功能储备与活动能力，还会对生活质量造成损害。目前，针对住院老年患者贫血情况的相关研究数据仍较为匮乏。材料与方法：本研究为基于医院的前瞻性观察性研究，研究对象为印度喜马偕尔邦坦达市RPGMC坎格拉农村三级医院收治的60岁及以上患者。根据世界卫生组织（WHO）的标准，贫血定义为男性血红蛋白水平低于13 g/dl，女性低于12 g/dl。结果：本研究共纳入554例患者，其中382例（69%）确诊为贫血，男女比例为1.36:1。男性贫血患病率为68.7%，女性为67.4%。通过外周血涂片检查，可观察到各类贫血表型，其中正细胞性贫血最为常见，占比达76.35%。按病因分类，慢性病性贫血（anemia of chronic disease, ACD）患者共102例（26.7%），其次为缺铁性贫血（iron deficiency anemia, IDA）99例（25.91%），血液系统疾病相关性贫血81例（21.20%），混合性贫血13例（3.40%），维生素B12及叶酸缺乏性贫血14例（3.66%），甲状腺功能减退相关性贫血3例（0.78%）。另观察到17例营养性缺铁性贫血患者。结论：鉴于老年贫血的高患病率及其对临床结局、住院时长与死亡率的不良影响，提升老年贫血的诊疗认知具有充分合理性。临床应常规对老年患者进行贫血筛查，并针对其病因开展相关检查，必要时可实施胃肠内镜及骨髓检查。