| Clinical significance of anemia in frail elderly patients admitted to the acute elderly care unit |
|
Eun Il Kim, Ye Won Suh, Su Hyun Jung, Eun Young Kim, Hye Young Kim, Myung Sook Park, Ki Dong Yu, Kwang Il Kim, Cheol Ho Kim |
|
서울대학교 의과대학 내과학교실 |
| 원저: 급성기 노인전문병동에 입원한 노인성 질환 환자에서 관찰되는 빈혈의 임상적 의의 |
|
김은일, Ye Won Suh, Su Hyun Jung, Eun Young Kim, Hye Young Kim, Myung Sook Park, Ki Dong Yu, Kwang Il Kim, Cheol Ho Kim |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Abstract |
Background : Anemia is a common medical problem among the elderly; it is more frequent with advancing age. Anemia has been associated with adverse outcomes such as hospitalization, disability
and mortality. However, the clinical significance of anemia in frail elderly patients, especially those admitted to acute care units, has not been investigated.
Methods
: From May 2004 to April 2005, 308 patients 65 years of age or older, admitted to the Acute Elderly Care Unit at the Seoul National University Bundang hospital, were enrolled in the current study. Comprehensive geriatric assessment including medical, psychosocial and functional evaluation was performed by the geriatric team. Clinical and laboratory evaluations were carried out
to determine the prevalence and etiology of the anemia.
Results
: Anemia (Hb < 13 g/dL in male, < 12 g/dL in female) was identified in 149 patients (48.4%). The leading cause of anemia was anemia of chronic disease (N=75, 50.3%). Comparison between the anemic group and a control group was performed. Anemic patients were older, male, had an impaired functional status as well as a poor nutritional status. Moreover, the development of delirium was more frequent in the anemic group compared to the control group (11.0% vs 20.7%,p=0.021). In addition, the duration of hospitalization was significantly increased in patients with anemia (12.97¡¾1.24 vs 18.07¡¾1.77, p=0.019). However, in the multiple regression analysis, the presence of anemia did not affect the length of hospitalization as an independent factor.
Conclusions
: Anemia is common in frail elderly patients and has been associated with a poor clinical outcome. Although anemia was not an independent risk factor in the elderly patients, the anemia was associated with multiple co-morbidities, disability and frailty. Therefore, the presence of anemia in the elderly requires active investigation and management.(Korean J Med 72:44-51, 2007)
Key Words : Geriatric assessment, Anemia, Frail elderly |
| Key Words:
Geriatric assessment, Anemia, Frail elderly |
|
PDF Links
Full text via DOI
Download Citation
