DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i08.030

Pages: 2873-2879

Anaemia is an extremely common problem in geriatric age group and its prevalence increases with age. In various studies, the prevalence is reported as 10 to 44% of elderly population. The aetiology of anaemia in elderly is often multifactorial, with multiple factors contributing to the problem in an individual patient. It is most often overlooked since symptoms like easy fatiguability, weakness or shortness of breath may be attributed to the aging process itself. Untreated anemia has found to be associated with decreased function and increased mortality. Hence, anaemia in elderly should not be accepted as a consequence of aging. Under this backdrop, the present study was undertaken to know the clinical and aetiological profile of anemia in the elderly population. The present study was carried out in the department of Medicine, F.A.A. Medical College and hospital, Barpeta, Assam. F.A.A Medical College hospital is a tertiary care hospital, located in rural Assam. A total number of 100 geriatric patients with anaemia admitted in Medicine ward over a period of one year were included in this study. This was a retrospective study. We collected the bed head tickets and investigation reports (medical record files) of all geriatric patients from medical record department of the hospital. Next, all these medical record files were evaluated thoroughly and relevant data were collected. Collected data were analyzed and interpreted accordingly. The present study retrospectively analyzed data of 100 geriatric patients with anaemia in a tertiary care hospital of Assam, India. Out of 100 cases, majority 58 % patients belonged to 65 years to < 75 years of age. Male patients were 59 % and female were 41 %. Again, majority of patients (62%) had moderate anaemia (6-9gm %) followed by mild anaemia (21%) and remaining 17% had severe anaemia.