Evaluation of anemia as comorbidity in elderly subjects aged 65 years and above admitted to hospital for other medical problems

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) To find out the proportion of anemia in the elderly aged 65 years and above admitted to hospital for other medical problems. (2) To determine the association between sociodemographic variables, other comorbidities, and anemia in the elderly aged 65 years and above. Material and Methods: Hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study was done. This study was conducted for period of one year among 236 geriatric patients who were admitted for other medical disorders and they were evaluated for anemia. Patients with hemoglobin cutoff value <13% g for men and <12% g for women were considered for further evaluation of anemia (using clinical and biochemical evaluation). Ethical principals were adhered. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Software version 23.0. Results: Among the 236 elderly patients, recruited in the study, 65.3% were anemic. About 75.8% had at least one comorbidity such as coronary artery disease, chronic respiratory illness, renal diseases, arthritis, liver diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, cardiovascular accidents, carcinomas, diabetes, and hypertension. All these comorbidities except diabetes and hypertension had shown to be significantly associated with anemic status of the elderly patients. Conclusion: This study concludes that, anemia was highly prevalent among hospitalized elderly patients and it is highly associated with other comorbid conditions.