|
|
Blood, 15 October 2004, Vol. 104, No. 8, pp. 2263-2268.
Prepublished online as a Blood First Edition Paper on July 6, 2004; DOI 10.1182/blood-2004-05-1812.
Previous Article | Next Article 
Submitted May 11, 2004
Accepted June 15, 2004
The prevalence of anemia in persons age 65 and older in the United States: evidence for a high rate of unexplained anemia
Jack M Guralnik*, Richard S Eisenstaedt, Luigi Ferrucci, Harvey G Klein, and Richard C Woodman
National Institute on Aging, National Insitutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
Department of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Department of Transfusion Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
OrthoBiotech Products, Bridgewater, NJ, USA
* Corresponding author; email: jg48s{at}nih.gov.
Clinicians frequently identify anemia in their older patients, but U.S. national data on the prevalence and causes of anemia in this population have not been available. Data are from the non-institutionalized U.S. population assessed in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994). Anemia was defined by World Health Organization criteria; causes of anemia included iron, folate and B12 deficiencies, renal insufficiency, anemia of chronic inflammation (ACI), formerly termed anemia of chronic disease, and unexplained anemia (UA). ACI by definition required normal iron stores with low circulating iron (< 60 µg/dl). After age 50, anemia prevalence rates rose rapidly, to a prevalence above 20% at age 85 and older. Overall, 11.0% of men and 10.2% of women age 65 and older were anemic. Evidence of nutrient deficiency was present in one-third of older persons with anemia, ACI and/or chronic renal disease in one-third, and UA in the remaining one-third. Most anemia was mild; 2.8% of women and 1.6% of men had hemoglobin < 11g/dl. Therefore, anemia is common, albeit not severe, in the older population, and a substantial proportion of anemia is of indeterminate cause. The impact of anemia on quality of life, recovery from illness, and functional abilities needs to be further investigated in older persons.

CiteULike Connotea Del.icio.us Digg Reddit Technorati What's this?
Related Article in Blood Online:
-
It's tough to be old and anemic
- Stanley L. Schrier
Blood 2004 104: 2214-2215.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
This article has been cited by other articles:

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. L. Chen, T. D. Logan, M. L. Hochberg, S. G. Shelat, X. Yu, G. E. Wilding, W. Tan, G. C. Kujoth, T. A. Prolla, M. A. Selak, et al.
Erythroid dysplasia, megaloblastic anemia, and impaired lymphopoiesis arising from mitochondrial dysfunction
Blood,
November 5, 2009;
114(19):
4045 - 4053.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
B. B. Newsome, S. J. Onufrak, D. G. Warnock, and W. M. McClellan
Exploration of anaemia as a progression factor in African Americans with cardiovascular disease
Nephrol. Dial. Transplant.,
November 1, 2009;
24(11):
3404 - 3411.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
K. V. Patel, R. D. Semba, L. Ferrucci, A. B. Newman, L. P. Fried, R. B. Wallace, S. Bandinelli, C. S. Phillips, B. Yu, S. Connelly, et al.
Red Cell Distribution Width and Mortality in Older Adults: A Meta-analysis
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci,
October 30, 2009;
(2009)
glp163v1.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. Savica, B. R. Grossardt, J. M. Carlin, M. Icen, J. H. Bower, J. E. Ahlskog, D. M. Maraganore, D. P. Steensma, and W. A. Rocca
Anemia or low hemoglobin levels preceding Parkinson disease: A case-control study
Neurology,
October 27, 2009;
73(17):
1381 - 1387.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
K. I. Tull, V. Hirani, A. Ali, E. Chua, and J. S. Mindell
Impact of different diagnostic thresholds and the anaemia-ferritin-transferrin receptor model on the prevalence of anaemia and impaired iron status in older people
Age Ageing,
September 1, 2009;
38(5):
609 - 613.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
W. P.J. den Elzen, J. M. Willems, R. G.J. Westendorp, A. J.M. de Craen, W. J.J. Assendelft, and J. Gussekloo
Effect of anemia and comorbidity on functional status and mortality in old age: results from the Leiden 85-plus Study
Can. Med. Assoc. J.,
August 4, 2009;
181(3-4):
151 - 157.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. Subherwal, R. G. Bach, A. Y. Chen, B. F. Gage, S. V. Rao, L. K. Newby, T. Y. Wang, W. B. Gibler, E. M. Ohman, M. T. Roe, et al.
Baseline Risk of Major Bleeding in Non-ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: The CRUSADE (Can Rapid risk stratification of Unstable angina patients Suppress ADverse outcomes with Early implementation of the ACC/AHA guidelines) Bleeding Score
Circulation,
April 14, 2009;
119(14):
1873 - 1882.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. von Drygalski and D. A. Andris
Anemia After Bariatric Surgery: More Than Just Iron Deficiency
Nutr Clin Pract,
April 1, 2009;
24(2):
217 - 226.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
N. A. Zakai, L. A. McClure, R. Prineas, G. Howard, W. McClellan, C. E. Holmes, B. B. Newsome, D. G. Warnock, P. Audhya, and M. Cushman
Correlates of Anemia in American Blacks and Whites: The REGARDS Renal Ancillary Study
Am. J. Epidemiol.,
February 1, 2009;
169(3):
355 - 364.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
K. V. Patel and J. M. Guralnik
Prognostic implications of anemia in older adults
Haematologica,
January 1, 2009;
94(1):
1 - 2.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
E. Riva, M. Tettamanti, P. Mosconi, G. Apolone, F. Gandini, A. Nobili, M. V. Tallone, P. Detoma, A. Giacomin, M. Clerico, et al.
Association of mild anemia with hospitalization and mortality in the elderly: the Health and Anemia population-based study
Haematologica,
January 1, 2009;
94(1):
22 - 28.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
W. P. J. den Elzen, R. G. J. Westendorp, M. Frolich, W. de Ruijter, W. J. J. Assendelft, and J. Gussekloo
Vitamin B12 and Folate and the Risk of Anemia in Old Age: The Leiden 85-Plus Study
Arch Intern Med,
November 10, 2008;
168(20):
2238 - 2244.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
X. Dong, C. M. de Leon, A. Artz, Y. Tang, R. Shah, and D. Evans
A Population-Based Study of Hemoglobin, Race, and Mortality in Elderly Persons
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci.,
August 1, 2008;
63(8):
873 - 878.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
B J Radovits, J Fransen, P L C M van Riel, and R F J M Laan
Influence of age and gender on the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) in rheumatoid arthritis
Ann Rheum Dis,
August 1, 2008;
67(8):
1127 - 1131.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
E. M. Sloand, C. O. Wu, P. Greenberg, N. Young, and J. Barrett
Factors Affecting Response and Survival in Patients With Myelodysplasia Treated With Immunosuppressive Therapy
J. Clin. Oncol.,
May 20, 2008;
26(15):
2505 - 2511.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
P. Beris, M. Munoz, J. A. Garcia-Erce, D. Thomas, A. Maniatis, and P. Van der Linden
Perioperative anaemia management: consensus statement on the role of intravenous iron
Br. J. Anaesth.,
May 1, 2008;
100(5):
599 - 604.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. Artz and X. Dong
Defining anemia by race using epidemiologic data
Blood,
March 1, 2008;
111(5):
2941 - 2941.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. P. Ertl, J. Chen, C. M. Astle, T. M. Duffy, and D. E. Harrison
Effects of dietary restriction on hematopoietic stem-cell aging are genetically regulated
Blood,
February 1, 2008;
111(3):
1709 - 1716.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
L. P. Gondek, R. Tiu, C. L. O'Keefe, M. A. Sekeres, K. S. Theil, and J. P. Maciejewski
Chromosomal lesions and uniparental disomy detected by SNP arrays in MDS, MDS/MPD, and MDS-derived AML
Blood,
February 1, 2008;
111(3):
1534 - 1542.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. P. Steensma and A. Tefferi
Anemia in the Elderly: How Should We Define It, When Does It Matter, and What Can Be Done?
Mayo Clin. Proc.,
August 1, 2007;
82(8):
958 - 966.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
B. C. Jones, J. L. Beard, J. N. Gibson, E. L. Unger, R. P. Allen, K. A. McCarthy, and C. J. Earley
Systems genetic analysis of peripheral iron parameters in the mouse
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol,
July 1, 2007;
293(1):
R116 - R124.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
K. V. Patel, T. B. Harris, M. Faulhaber, S. B. Angleman, S. Connelly, D. C. Bauer, L. H. Kuller, A. B. Newman, J. M. Guralnik, and for the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study
Racial variation in the relationship of anemia with mortality and mobility disability among older adults
Blood,
June 1, 2007;
109(11):
4663 - 4670.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
C. M. Boyd, C. O. Weiss, J. Halter, K. C. Han, W. B. Ershler, and L. P. Fried
Framework for Evaluating Disease Severity Measures in Older Adults With Comorbidity
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci.,
March 1, 2007;
62(3):
286 - 295.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. Yennurajalingam and E. Bruera
Palliative Management of Fatigue at the Close of Life: "It Feels Like My Body Is Just Worn Out"
JAMA,
January 17, 2007;
297(3):
295 - 304.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. S. Zumberg and C. Leissinger
Acquired underproduction anemias
ASH Self-Assessment Program,
January 1, 2007;
2007(1):
78 - 101.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. R. Murali, A. Kratz, and K. E. Finberg
Case 40-2006 -- A 64-Year-Old Man with Anemia and a Low Level of HDL Cholesterol
N. Engl. J. Med.,
December 28, 2006;
355(26):
2772 - 2779.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. Hammerman-Rozenberg, J. M. Jacobs, D. Azoulay, and J. Stessman
Aspirin prophylaxis and the prevalence of anaemia
Age Ageing,
September 1, 2006;
35(5):
514 - 517.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
V. Devalia
Diagnosing vitamin B-12 deficiency on the basis of serum B-12 assay
BMJ,
August 19, 2006;
333(7564):
385 - 386.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
L. Ferrucci, M. Maggio, S. Bandinelli, S. Basaria, F. Lauretani, A. Ble, G. Valenti, W. B. Ershler, J. M. Guralnik, and D. L. Longo
Low testosterone levels and the risk of anemia in older men and women.
Arch Intern Med,
July 10, 2006;
166(13):
1380 - 1388.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
B. F. Culleton, B. J. Manns, J. Zhang, M. Tonelli, S. Klarenbach, and B. R. Hemmelgarn
Impact of anemia on hospitalization and mortality in older adults
Blood,
May 15, 2006;
107(10):
3841 - 3846.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
B. W. J. H. Penninx, M. Pahor, R. C. Woodman, and J. M. Guralnik
Anemia in old age is associated with increased mortality and hospitalization.
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci.,
May 1, 2006;
61(5):
474 - 479.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
E. O'Meara, T. Clayton, M. B. McEntegart, J. J.V. McMurray, C. C. Lang, S. D. Roger, J. B. Young, S. D. Solomon, C. B. Granger, J. Ostergren, et al.
Clinical Correlates and Consequences of Anemia in a Broad Spectrum of Patients With Heart Failure: Results of the Candesartan in Heart Failure: Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and Morbidity (CHARM) Program
Circulation,
February 21, 2006;
113(7):
986 - 994.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. L. Schrier
Hematology, ASH, and the anemia of the aged
Blood,
November 15, 2005;
106(10):
3341 - 3342.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. L. Spivak
Anemia in the Elderly: Time for New Blood in Old Vessels?
Arch Intern Med,
October 24, 2005;
165(19):
2187 - 2189.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
N. A. Zakai, R. Katz, C. Hirsch, M. G. Shlipak, P. H. M. Chaves, A. B. Newman, and M. Cushman
A Prospective Study of Anemia Status, Hemoglobin Concentration, and Mortality in an Elderly Cohort: The Cardiovascular Health Study
Arch Intern Med,
October 24, 2005;
165(19):
2214 - 2220.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
A. Ble, J. C. Fink, R. C. Woodman, M. A. Klausner, B. G. Windham, J. M. Guralnik, and L. Ferrucci
Renal Function, Erythropoietin, and Anemia of Older Persons: The InCHIANTI Study
Arch Intern Med,
October 24, 2005;
165(19):
2222 - 2227.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. O'Flaherty
A haemoglobin concentration of 140 g/l was associated with a lower mortality risk than concentrations <=120 g/l in older women with disabilities
Evid. Based Med.,
June 1, 2005;
10(3):
90 - 90.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. L. Longo
Closing in on a Killer: Anemia in Elderly People
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci.,
June 1, 2005;
60(6):
727 - 728.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
G. Weiss and L. T. Goodnough
Anemia of Chronic Disease
N. Engl. J. Med.,
March 10, 2005;
352(10):
1011 - 1023.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. M. Guralnik, W. B. Ershler, S. L. Schrier, and V. J. Picozzi
Anemia in the Elderly: A Public Health Crisis in Hematology
Hematology,
January 1, 2005;
2005(1):
528 - 532.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|
|
|