Hematological profile in geriatric patients with special emphasis on morphological and etiological classification of anemia in patients presenting at a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background& Objective: Anemia is prevalent among geriatric populations and can have significant implications for health outcomes. Understanding the hematological profile of geriatric patients, particularly the morphological and etiological classification of anemia, is crucial for effective management and intervention.This study aimed to investigate the demographic characteristics, etiology, and correlation of red blood cell indices with anemia in geriatric patients presenting at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A prospective analysis was conducted on data from geriatric patients with anemia, focusing on age, gender distribution and etiology. Hemoglobin levels and hematological indices were correlated with underlying causes of anemia. Results: The majority of participants (83.6%) fell within the 65-75 age range, with a slightly higher representation of females (56.2%). Iron deficiency (35.2%) was the most common cause of anemia, followed by anemia of unknown etiology (34.2%), anemia of chronic diseases (19.6%), megaloblastic anemia (8.5%), and dimorphic anemia (2.5%). Correlation analysis revealed distinct patterns in red blood cell indices across different etiological subtypes, with significant differences in hemoglobin levels, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and red cell distribution width. Conclusion: The study provides valuable insights into the hematological profile of geriatric patients with anemia, highlighting the prevalence, causes, and correlations associated with this condition. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive assessment and tailored management strategies for older adults with anemia. Prospective, multicenter studies are needed to validate these findings and improve outcomes for geriatric patients with anemia.