Update of nutrient-deficiency anemia in elderly patients

Eur J Intern Med. 2008 Nov;19(7):488-93. doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2008.01.016. Epub 2008 Mar 14.

Abstract

Anemia, defined as a hemoglobin level < 13 g/dL in men and < 12 g/dL in women, is an important healthcare concern among the elderly. Nutrient-deficiency anemia represents one third of all anemias in elderly patients. About two thirds of nutrient-deficiency anemia is associated with iron deficiency and most of those cases are the result of chronic blood loss from gastrointestinal lesions. The remaining cases of nutrient-deficiency anemia are usually associated with vitamin B12, most frequently related to food-cobalamin malabsorption, and/or folate deficiency and are easily treated (nutrient-deficiency replacement).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / etiology*
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / therapy*
  • Folic Acid Deficiency / etiology
  • Folic Acid Deficiency / therapy
  • Humans
  • Nutrition Disorders / complications*
  • Nutrition Disorders / therapy*
  • Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / etiology
  • Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / therapy