A CLINICO-PATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF ANEMIA IN GERIATRIC AGE GROUP

Abstract

Anemia in geriatric age (>60 years) is one of the major health problem in India and other countries around the globe. It causes increased morbidity, mortality and also affects quality of life. Symptoms associated with anemia like shortness of breath, fatiguability due to anemia could also be attributed to aging process, therefore anemia is often easily overlooked in elderly. Clinico-haematological patterns and morphological types of anemia in geriatric age (>60 years) are manifold, hence this study was done to determine them and to know more about the associated disorders. The present study was conducted in a tertiary care center of South India for two years. 1000 patients who were 60 years and above and clinically diagnosed as anemic were included in this study. Routine haematological investigations including peripheral blood smear examination and complete hemogram were done. Special investigations were done whenever required. Female population was the most affected geriatric population with most of them belonging to 60-69 years of age. The most common cause of anemia was found to be anemia of chronic disease. Despite modern diagnostic advances, anemia in geriatric patients still remains under-reported and inadequately investigated, necessitating evaluation of even mild anaemias. Prompt diagnosis and denite categorization helps in appropriate management of anemias