Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the frequency, etiology, treatment and prevention of anemia in hospitalized patients over 65 years of age. Material and Method: Using the medical records from the hospitalized 715 anemic patients over 65 years of age were evaluated retrospectively in the Internal Medicine Department between April 2011 and April 2012. Findings: 376 (52,6%) patients were female and 339 (47,4%) were male. Mean age was 76,3 years. Anemia was detected in 546 (% 76,4) patients with 83,5 %of males and 69,9% of females (P<0.001). The etiology of anemia is: inflamation in 295 (54,0%) patients, chronic renal failure in 167 (30,6%) patients, iron deficiency in 163 (29,9%) patients, Vitamin B12 deficiency in 91 (16,7%) patients and folate deficiency in 80 (14,7%) patients. Conclusion: Anemia is a common condition in patients over 65 years of age in Turkey than in the other countries, and may cause a higher morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the aetiology of anemia should be determined and treated.