Anemia Disease

Anemia Disease-mAnemia is that the most often encountered haematological drawback in geriatric observe and is Associated with enlarged risk of purposeful decline, psychological feature impairment, and death. Anemia is outlined as a suboptimal concentration of red cells (erythrocytes) within the blood, usually measured by a decrease within the quantity of haemoprotein. haemoprotein forms the red pigment in red blood cells (RBCs) that transport O from the lungs to completely different tissues and organs of the body. The RBCs ar made by stem cells within the bone marrow underneath the influence of erythropoietin (EPO), a secretion secreted by the kidneys. the globe Health Organization (WHO) defines anemia as a haemoprotein concentration below thirteen grams per metric capacity unit in men and below twelve grams per metric capacity unit in girls. 

According to the World Health Organization criteria, the prevalence of anemia within the general population is approximately a hundred and twenty fifth to 2%; it's calculable to be four times higher among men and girls over sixty five years more matured, and it's close to two hundredth among individuals over eighty five years more matured. Incidence of anemia seems to be among the girls in all ages cluster over sixty five years. Potential causes for anemia embrace blood loss, nutritionary deficiency (Vitamin B12, iron, and vitamin B deficiencies), and inflammation secondary to malady processes (e.g., cancer, urinary organ failure, chronic infections) and concomitant medications. However, despite an exhaustive workup, the etiology of anemia remains unclear in close to twenty fifth of aged patients. during this cluster, it's postulated that anemia is also a consequence of a vegetative cell defect, presumably associated with the aging method.

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Anemia is more prevalent among those of lower socioeconomic status where  nutritional deficiencies are a factor, implying that nutritional  supplements may reverse anemia in elderly populations. Unfortunately,  this is not always the case; one study that provided dietary supplements  to achieve weight gain among underweight elderly found that despite a  positive impact on nutritional status and desired weight gain, anemia was not improved.

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In the absence of iron, folate, or Vitamin B12 deficiency, it is  reasonable to pursue the hypothesis that hemoglobin production is  compromised by molecular mechanisms secondary to chronic disease and/or  inflammation. New insights into the mechanisms of iron metabolism and hemoglobin production suggest that anemia of chronic inflammation (ACI)  and anemia of chronic disease (ACD) have the same pathophysiology. Thus,  the peptide hormone hepcidin, the dominant inhibitor of dietary iron  absorption, is decreased by anemia and hypoxia to promote hemoglobin  production. However, infection and inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) up-regulate hepcidin, decreasing circulating iron.  Thus, treating the underlying disease may reverse ACD. 

The use of recombinant erythropoietic agents (i.e., EPO) is now routine  in cancer patients on myelosuppressive chemotherapy as well as in  patients with renal failure. The role of EPO is also being investigated  in ACD. EPO is a peptide hormone produced by the kidneys via an oxygen sensor to stimulate red blood cell production. There may also be a role for EPO in the clinical treatment of unexplained anemia among the  elderly, but currently there are no data to support this practice.

Contributors: Gurkamal Chatta
Edited by: Kyriakos S. Markides
Book Title: Encyclopedia of Health & Aging