Materials and Method: As part of the Melen Study 2187 people were examined. All participants were given a physical examination, medical history and laboratory examinations. Of this larger group, 430 participants aged 65 and above, the “geriatric group”, formed the focus of the present study that evaluated the incidence and morphology of anemia.
Results: Of the 430 geriatrics, 138 (32.0%) were identified as anemic. The prevalence rate of anemia was found to be 28% in women and 36% in men. The etiologies of anemia were found to be iron deficiency anemia, 40.5%; anemia of chronic disease, 7.9%; renal anemia, 14.4%; and unexplained anemia, 36.9%.
Conclusion: We found that anemia has different characteristics in geriatrics that necessitate special approaches in terms of etiology, precautions and treatment. Our study shows that anemia in geriatrics in Turkey may constitute a more important problem than it was thought to be.
Keywords : Anemia, Iron Deficiency; Aged; Prevalence