Abstract

The aim of the study is to estimate the prevalence of anaemia in the geriatric population in and around Jabalpur district and to prospectively study the various haematological patterns of anaemia in age group. Result: The representation of various symptoms shown by the anaemia elderly; being easy fatiguability the most common in around 76%, followed by shortness of breath, palpitation, headache & tinnitus. A small 3% elderly were immobile, bed ridden. 104(84%) elderly had more than one or combination of symptoms while only 20(16%) came up with a single symptom. Showing etiologic distribution of anaemia elderly. Maximum number of anaemia elderly 28(23%) had Iron deficiency anaemia which had maximum no. due to nutritional deficiency. It was followed by Anaemia of chronic disease with 24(19%), then anaemia of chronic kidney disease in 21(17%). Around 18(14.5%%) had Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency was seen in 18 (14.5%) and 13(9.8%%) came up with anaemia of endocrine disorder, in which all were long standing diabetics.10(8.06%) showed haematological disorders while In around 10(8.06%), no specific cause of anaemia could be ascertained. Conclusion: This study was aimed to search for the fact behind this generalised dictum that senility or old age comes with its varied presentation of anaemia. Symptoms like easy fatiguability, shortness of breath and weakness should not be attributed as just signs of aging and thorough investigations must be planned to identify their actual cause. It was found in my study that a single elderly can present with a single or multiple signs and symptoms of anaemia. In our study we concluded that anaemia in almost each elderly has a definable and treatable cause. Also, the haemoglobin levels must not vary due to age alone in the fit and fine elderly. A cause for the decrease in haemoglobin should always be sought after and anaemia must be typed in every elderly. According to the data that show rising prevalence of elderly population, it is need of the hour that physicians should give greater attention to diagnose and treat the common causes of anaemia, that may lead to increased morbidity and mortality in this age group. Hence, my prospective study has documented that in most cases of anaemia in elderly there is a treatable cause present and it can be easily cured with early diagnosis and management. On the opposite end, failure to type and diagnose anaemia in early phase may lead to delayed diagnosis of potentially treatable causes and thus increased morbidity and mortality

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