Geriatric Anemia; An Overview of Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Geriatric Anemia May Be an Indicator of an Underlying Chronic Disease in the Elderly

In the United States, 40 - 60% of geriatric patients suffer from anemia with a significant number of deaths attributed to the condition. With females more likely to suffer than males, anemia can be debilitating, inhibit daily living activities and lead to misdiagnosis in the elderly patient. Understanding the cause and origin of anemia in the elderly, anemia symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, will provide caregivers, adult children and physicians the tools necessary to assess and provide the appropriate care and guidance to the elderly patient.

Anemia in the elderly can be caused by a variety of factors including genetics, vitamin deficiencies, iron deficiency and disease. The most common cause of anemia in the geriatric patient is attributed to chronic disease, including inflammatory disease, malignancy and chronic infection.  Only second to chronic disease, geriatric anemia is also attributed to decreased nutritional value, specifically lack of folate and cobalamin (vitamin B12).  Additionally, It is important to note that many cases of geriatric anemia have no underlying cause; approximately 15%. 

Hemoglobin, found naturally within the body and located in the red blood cells, provide the body with oxygen. To do this, red blood cells must be rich in iron.  Produced in the bone marrow, iron promotes red blood cell production which, in turn, transports oxygen throughout the body thus providing the patient with energy and a mental feeling of alertness. When in an anemic state, blood laboratory tests will reveal the body contains too few red blood cells as the body may be destroying the cells at a rate greater than production or the cells simply are not producing due to a lack of iron.  In elderly patients suffering from bone marrow related disease, anemia is a significant issue and often contributes to death.