Unexplained anemia of aging: Etiology, health consequences, and diagnostic criteria.

dc.contributor.author

Guralnik, Jack

dc.contributor.author

Ershler, William

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Artz, Andrew

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Lazo-Langner, Alejandro

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Walston, Jeremy

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Pahor, Marco

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Ferrucci, Luigi

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Evans, William J

dc.date.accessioned

2022-06-01T14:18:01Z

dc.date.available

2022-06-01T14:18:01Z

dc.date.issued

2022-03

dc.date.updated

2022-06-01T14:18:00Z

dc.description.abstract

Background

Up to 15% of people aged 60 and over are anemic, and the prevalence of anemia increases with age. In older men and women, anemia is associated with increases in the risk of death and all-cause hospitalization, poor functional capacity, quality of life, and depression.

Methods and results

We reviewed the literature describing anemia in aging populations, focusing on the specific diagnostic criteria of anemia and potential causes in older men and women. Even after extensive etiologic workup that involves careful medical history, physical examination, laboratory measurements, and additional studies such as bone marrow biopsy, anemia of aging is unexplained in up to 40% of older patients with anemia. As a result, treatment options remain limited.

Conclusions

The prevalence of unexplained anemia of aging (UAA; also called unexplained anemia of the elderly, UAE), its deleterious impacts on health, physical function, and quality of life, and the lack of effective treatment or therapy guidelines represent a compelling unmet clinical need. In this review and consensus document, we discuss the scope of the problem, possible causes of UAA, diagnostic criteria, and potential treatment options. Because even mild anemia is strongly linked to poor clinical outcomes, it should receive clinical attention rather than simply being considered a normal part of aging.
dc.identifier.issn

0002-8614

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1532-5415

dc.identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10161/25082

dc.language

eng

dc.publisher

Wiley

dc.relation.ispartof

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

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10.1111/jgs.17565

dc.subject

Humans

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Anemia

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Hemoglobins

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Prevalence

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Aging

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Quality of Life

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Aged

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Middle Aged

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Female

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Male

dc.title

Unexplained anemia of aging: Etiology, health consequences, and diagnostic criteria.

dc.type

Journal article

pubs.begin-page

891

pubs.end-page

899

pubs.issue

3

pubs.organisational-group

Duke

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School of Medicine

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Clinical Science Departments

pubs.organisational-group

Medicine

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Medicine, Geriatrics

pubs.publication-status

Published

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70

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