Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the progress in reduction of prevalence of anemia in rural Australia. It also investigates the prevalence of hypoviscosity in anaemia with a view to determine the fraction of anaemic patients at risk of drug-inducible exacerbation of anemia. Archived clinical pathology data (N = 130, 354) for the period of 1999 to 2008 were utilized. The prevalence of anemia and hypoviscosity was evaluated by working out (i) the number that fell within anemia definition as a percentage of the population and (ii) the number that fell within hypoviscosity definition as a percentage of anemic patients. The prevalence in anemic diabetes and dyslipidaemia was further determined. There was progressive reduction in anemia from 6.1% to 3.2% over the ten years period. Prevalence of anemia is statistically significantly higher in males than in females (P < 0.0001), but protein level is lower in anemic females than in anemic males (P < 0.01). The results further show that up to 75% of anemic patients may benefit from NSAID or salicylates. This paper highlights differences between genders. It suggests more concerted effort in men's health and speculates a new factor to investigate in women's health.
Highlights
There are a range of possible complications of anaemia
This study evaluates the reduction in prevalence of anemia in rural Australia
The determination of prevalence followed a simple process of (i) sorting each group by descending level of haematocrit, (ii) highlighting and working out the number that fell within anemia definition as a percentage of the population, (iii) resorting of those highlighted as anemic by descending level of WBV, and (iv) working out the number that fell within hypoviscosity definition as a percentage of anemic patients
Summary
There are a range of possible complications of anaemia. It can predispose certain therapies to worsen bleeding complications. A perspective in practice that requires further acknowledgement perhaps is the risk of bleeding and/or exacerbated anaemia. Bleeding as a cause of anaemia is very well known and may not be dwelt much upon. When the issue of complications of anaemia comes, the points that come to mind are reduced oxygen transport by the blood, which feedforward to tissue hypoxia and fatigue. Others are reduced endurance or exercise capabilities and secondary organ dysfunction such as heart disease [1]
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