Anemia in elderly patients admitted in the geriatric and medicine wards of S. S. hospital: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Regardless of its cause, anemia is a very prevalent condition linked to higher morbidity and a lower quality of life. The difficulties that result from anemia make it more severe, especially in the elderly population. Assessing the clinicopathological range of geriatric anemia, which frequently goes undiagnosed, is the aim of our study. Material and Method: The present study is a prospective hospitalbased cross-sectional study conducted between July 2019 and January 2022. Total of 102 patients aged 60 years and above were included in the study. Detailed demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. Anemia was defined and classified according to the World Health Organization criteria. Clinical history, complete blood picture, and peripheral smear were obtained in all patients. Bone marrow studies were performed when clinically indicated. Results: Out of 102 patients, 71 patients were male with a male: female ratio of 2.29:1. The mean hemoglobin concentration was 7.3 gm/dl. Anemia of chronic disease was the most common cause of anemia (32.37%), followed by iron deficiency anemia (7.8%). Forty-three patients (42.2%) showed normocytic normochromic red blood cell morphology. Conclusion: Hospital admitted elderly patients usually present with a moderate degree of anemia. Hematological malignancies like multiple myeloma and iron deficiency anemia are the more frequent etiologies. Since primary care doctors are the first point of contact with these geriatric anemic patients, they have an essential role in the early diagnosis, management, and referral of these cases, particularly in their early stages.