The importance of early diagnosis and adequate treatment of anemia in the elderly

Abstract

Background. Anemia affects a large part of the elderly population and represents a public health problem expected to increase in the coming years due to the aging population. Anemia in the elderly is perceived as a minor problem, but it is associated with disability, worsening of chronic diseases, and death. Objective(s). Evaluation of anemia types in elderly patients and analysis of its clinical and paraclinical characteristics with the aim of optimizing the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Materials and methods. The research includes a descriptive and analytical study. A bibliographic review was performed by retrieving essential data, using full-text articles from the HINARI, PubMed, BioMed Central databases. Articles about anemia in the elderly, the consequences of this pathology, diagnostic and treatment methods were analyzed. Results. Anemia affects 23.9% of the global geriatric population, and the estimated mortality risk is 49%. The most common causes of this condition include iron deficiency in 14% of cases, chronic inflammation in 33.1% of cases, chronic kidney disease in 19% of cases, and anemia of unknown etiology in 28.4% of cases. Early diagnosis allows for targeted interventions and improves prognosis by reducing morbidity, preserving cognitive function, and maintaining autonomy. International guidelines (WHO, EHA) recommend including anemia screening in the standard geriatric assessment, thereby promoting integrated and preventive care. Conclusion(s). Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of anemia in the elderly are essential steps that involve thorough patient evaluation and aim not only at prolonging life, but also at ensuring an active and dignified life until the end - adding not just "years to life", but also "life to years".