What is the prognosis of mild normocytic anaemia in older people?

Authors: Wilkinson, T. J.¹; Warren, M. R.²

Source: Internal Medicine Journal, Volume 33, Numbers 1-2, January 2003 , pp. 14-17(4)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $48.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Abstract Background:

There is reduced survival for people with all types of anaemia and it has been shown that there is a low yield from investigations for older people with normocytic anaemia. However, the longer-term outcomes of people with mild normocytic anaemia are not known. Aims:

To determine the 5-year prognosis of older people with mild normocytic anaemia, compared with non-anaemic controls. Methods:

This was a prospective cohort study, with some retrospective data collection, comparing 52 people aged ≥65 years (haemoglobin 100−119 g/L; mean cell volume 80−99 fL) without an obvious cause at presentation with 52 non-anaemic controls. The incidence of death, new malignancies and significant illnesses was compared between the two groups, 5 years later. Results:

Anaemic patients were less likely to be living at home at baseline. Although survival was lower for the anaemic group at all follow-up times, these differences were not significantly different. Over 5 years, there were no significant differences between groups in the types of problems that developed. Conclusions:

A mild normocytic anaemia in older people, in the absence of an obvious cause, is not associated with significant differences in outcomes but is associated with poorer independence and a trend to lower survival. We suggest it may therefore be a marker of frailty in older people. (Intern Med J 2003; 33: 14−17)

Keywords: aged; cohort studies; normocytic anaemia; prognosis; survival analysis

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1445-5994.2003.00328.x

Affiliations: 1: The Princess Margaret Hospital and 2: Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand

Publication date: 2003-01-01