Objective:

To describe the current status of anemia and iron deficiency (ID), as well as associated sociodemographic characteristics, in older adults (OA).

Materials and methods:

Serum and capillary blood samples from a sample of OA participants (n=2 902) from the Ensanut 2018-19 were analyzed. ID was defined as s-ferritin<15 μg/L, and anemia was defined according to World Health Organization standards. Logistic regression models were used to associate the characteristics of OA with anemia and ID.

Results:

Of the OA analyzed, anemia was present in 28.4%, ID in 5% and iron deficiency anemia in 2.07%. Diabetes (OR=2.14), renal insufficiency (OR=10.4), higher age, and urban dwelling (OR=1.35) were conditions associated with higher odds for anemia (p<0.05). Belonging to the 70-79 year age group was the only condition associated with higher odds for ID (OR=1.86, p<0.05).

Conclusions:

Anemia affects a high proportion of OA, and ID is not the main contributor to anemia. Chronic comorbidities help explain the anemia problem in OA.

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