Authors: Thomas, David R; Cepeda, Oscar A

Source: Aging Health, Volume 2, Number 2, April 2006 , pp. 303-312(10)

Publisher: Future Medicine

Abstract:

Anemia is a very common and sometimes unrecognized clinical diagnosis in the elderly. In addition to the symptoms attributable to anemia itself, anemia may point towards the existence of underlying nutritional deficiencies, inflammatory conditions or chronic diseases. In particular, chronic kidney disease and its associated anemia remain underdiagnosed in older individuals. A calculated creatinine clearance should be carried out to identify individuals with chronic kidney disease. The consequences of anemia in the elderly include physical deconditioning, disability and increased mortality. The importance of an accurate diagnosis and classification of anemia is critical, as therapeutic interventions can improve levels of hemoglobin and thus quality of life in elderly patients. These positive outcomes for treating anemia, such as improved quality of life, decreased hospitalization and decreased mortality, demand that a hemoglobin concentration of less than 12 g/dl should be investigated and treated whenever possible. The availability of recombinant erythropoietin has advanced the ability to correct anemia and improve patient outcome.

Keywords: anemia of chronic disease; cancer; chronic kidney disease; cytokines; iron deficiency; mortality; quality of life

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/1745509X.2.2.303

Affiliations: 1: Division of Geriatric Medicine and The Veterans Administration Medical Center, Saint Louis University School of MedicineSaint Louis, MO 63104, USA., Email: thomasdr@slu.edu

Publication date: 2006-04-01

More about this publication?

• Aging Health leading coverage of current and emerging topics relating to the safe and effective management of therapy in the elderly, all subject to rigorous peer review. The journal focuses on the most important advances and highlights their relevance in the clinical setting. The journal has been designed to deliver essential concise information in an easily assimilable format - vital for the increasingly time-constrained professional.
• Editorial Board
• Information for Authors
• Submit a Paper
• Subscribe to this Title
• Information for Advertisers
• Terms & Conditions
• Information for Librarians
• E-Access Trials
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Medicine (General) ,  Nursing
• By this author: Thomas, David R ;  Cepeda, Oscar A

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers