ABSTRACT
Anemia is a common disorder in the elderly population and is an independent predictor for increased morbidity and mortality over 5 years, even after adjustment for comorbid disease.1 Older patients with anemia have a higher likelihood of physical decline, disability, hospital admission, and institutionalization.2 Anemia has been associated with both frailty3 and mobility impairment,4 has been shown to lead to functional impairment,3,4 and is a risk factor for falls in older persons.5-7 Women with a hemoglobin concentration between 13 and 14 g/dl have better mobility and lower mortality than those with a hemoglobin concentration of less than 12 g/dl.4
Anemia is strongly associated with an increase in myocardial infarction and poor outcomes following an infarct.8 Prolonged anemia results in left ventricular hypertrophy.9 Quality of life is impaired in persons with anemia10 and produces a high level of fatigue.11 Treatment of anemia increases hemoglobin concentration, improves quality of life, and may decrease mortality.10-12 Patients with congestive heart failure and an ejection fraction of less than 40% who received treatment for anemia had a 42% improvement in a New York Heart Association class, compared with the control patients, who had a decrease of 11.4%.13 The correction of anemia also produces a decrease in left ventricular hypertrophy.9
