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Relationships of selected nutritional and non‐nutritional factors to anemia in the elderly
Author(s) -
JohnsonLargent Tiffany Nicole,
Harland Barbara F.,
Adkins James S.,
Johnson Allan A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a706
Subject(s) - transferrin saturation , anemia , national health and nutrition examination survey , ferritin , medicine , vitamin b12 , serum iron , transferrin , physiology , iron deficiency , calcium , population , endocrinology , environmental health
This study investigated the relationships of dietary intakes (calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin B 6 , vitamin B 12 , and folate) and biochemical levels (calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B 12, , folate (serum and RBC), ferritin, protoporphyrin, C‐reactive protein, transferrin saturation, bone alkaline phosphotase, and N‐telopeptides) to anemia in elderly persons in the following age groups: 65–74, 75–84, and 85 and older. Data were used from the 1999–2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SUDAAN. There was a significantly lower dietary intake of vitamin B 12 (p=0.02) in anemic individuals 85 years of age and older. Significantly lower biochemical levels of iron were found in anemic persons of all age groups and significantly lower biochemical levels of calcium and iron were found in anemic persons in the 65–74 age group. Significantly higher levels of protoporphyrin were found in anemic persons in all three age groups. C‐reactive protein was significantly higher, but transferrin saturation was significantly lower in the anemic 75–84 age group. Anemic persons aged 85 and older group had significantly lower biochemical levels of iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation. However, this age group had significantly higher levels of folate (red blood cell and serum). We recommend that future studies investigate iron absorption and metabolism in the elderly to prevent nutrition‐related anemia in this population.