Prevalência de anemia e fatores associados em idosos

Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence of anemia and correlated factors to the hemoglobin level in the elderly population living in Campina Grande, Paraiba, Brazil. Methods: This is a crosssectional

study conducted with individuals aged 60 years or older. Blood was collected for later determination of plasma hemoglobin. Male individuals who had hemoglobin levels <13 g / dL and females who had hemoglobin levels <12 g / dL were considered anemic. Demographic and socioeconomic variables, cognitive status, functional capacity, nutritional status and number of self-reported chronic diseases were analyzed. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were performed using SPSS 22.0 software. Results: A total of 360 older individuals (67.2% women) were evaluated, and the prevalence of anemia was 12.5%. The average hemoglobin level was 13.5 g / dL and was correlated with variables sex (β = -0.44; CI 95%: -1.35-0.85), age (β = -0 14; CI 95%: -0.03 -0.01), nutritional status (β = 0.16; CI 95%: 0.01; 0.06), memory impairment (β = 0.12; CI 95% : -0.06; -0.01), and dementia (β = -0.13; CI 95%: -0.06, -0.01). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated influence of sex, age, nutritional status, memory impairment and dementia on anemia in the elderly. This study can assist in planning specific actions for prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of this disease, thus improving the health and quality of life of the elderly population.