Anemia in elderly women. Rational prevention. Evidence base

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia is a frequent companion in postmenopausal women and those who have reached adulthood. Anemia in mild form in elderly women often occurs almost asymptomatically. Over time, iron deficiency progresses: severe complications occur, the quality of life decreases significantly, and the prognosis for life becomes unfavorable. A cross-section of the literature data in recent years shows that iron, folate, vitamin B12 deficiency, gastrointestinal diseases, pathologies in the processes of erythropoiesis and other somatic diseases come to the fore in terms of the etiological factors of anemia in elderly women. An important role in the development of anemia in older women is played by an irrational diet throughout life, which causes a lack of iron and folate in food. That is why therapy with a complex drug, which includes iron (II) fumarate in combination with folic acid is a rational choice in comparison with iron monotherapy for the prevention and treatment of anemia in elderly women. The administration of oral iron preparations for the correction of iron deficiency and for the purpose of selecting an effective pathogenetic therapy for anemia solves the problem of complications and improves the quality of life of older women. Iron (II) fumarate + folic acid - a tablet form of iron preparation in combination with folic acid for oral use, which has good tolerability, quickly replenishes iron reserves in the body of elderly patients, reducing mortality in this age group.