Characteristics of Anemia in Elderly Patients at Siti Rahmah Hospital, Padang, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Anemia is a major health problem for the elderly in Indonesia. The ageing process causes physiological changes in almost all body systems in the elderly, causing disruption of various processes absorption of nutrients in the body. Examination of the hematological profile can provide an overview of nutritional status and anemia status that can monitor disease progression of the elderly. Objective: to determine characteristics of anemia in elderly patients at Siti Rahmah hospital, Padang. Methods: This was a descriptive study and the population of this study was the elderly aged 60 years and over who come for treatment at Siti Rahmah Hospital. The samples of this study were consisted of 52 elderly patients and examined hematology profile. The examination includes hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocytes, platelets and erythrocyte index using an automatic analyzer. Result: This study was conducted on 52 elderly patients, consisting of 26 men and 26 women with the mean age was 68.31 7,385 years old. The results of the examination of hemoglobin levels 12.47 1.84 g/L, with 46.15% anemia patients, hematocrit 34.6 4.96%, leukocyte count 9588 4131.783/mm3 and platelet count 278211 114830/mm3. Conclusion: Characteristic anemia from hematology profile in elderly patient was mild anemia with normochromic normocytic features, the leukocyte, hematocrit and platelet counts were within normal limits.