ABSTRACT Title: - STUDY OF CLINICAL, LABORATORY PROFILE OF ANEMIA; IT`S TYPING &

POSSIBLE ETIOLOGIES IN ELDERLY

Deshmukh U, Shashikumar R Dept. of Medicne, Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital & Research Centre , Bhilai , CG. Introduction: - Anemia is a common problem in elderly, resposible for significant morbidity, mortality and a negative effect on quality of life, in this population. It is easy to overlook anemia in the elderly, since symptoms (such as fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath) may be attributed to the aging process itself. So it is important to study the presentation, anemia typing and etiologies of anemia in elderly. Aims & Ojectives: 1.To study the clinical profile and laboratory?? profile of anemia in elderly. 2.To evalute anemia typing & possible etiologies in such patients. Materials & Methods: -The study design is cross-sectional research design.100 consecutive anaemic patients of both sexes, above the age of 65(elderly) were included between the period of 01/06/2009 to 30/09/2010 from the in patient department and outpatient department of General Medicine, JLNH & RC, Bhilai.The data was entered on predesigned proforma which includes history, clinical examination and necessary laboratory investigations.???Data analysis For analysis tabulated data, simple ratios, proportions were used and Chi - square test was applied. Results: 1.Out of 100 elder patients 52% male & 48% female, fatigue is the most common symptom encountered (78%), followed by dyspnoea (28%), palpitation (16%) and anorexia (16%). Pallor is most common sign (70%), followed by tachycardia, edema, etc. A.30 patients have microcytic anaemia - Chronic blood loss from gastrointestinal tract is present in 22 patients with gastritis being common lesion. B.62 patients have normocytic blood picture - Common underlying chronic disease is found to be renal failure (22), followed by underlying malignancy (6 ), tuberculosis (5). C.6 patients have macrocytic anaemia - 3 patients have vit B 12 deficiency, 2 have folate deficiency and 1 has malignancy. Conclusions: 1.The difference observed in each age group of male and female is not significant. 2.The clinical presentation of anemia in eldely: symptoms - mostly constitutional, like fatigue (78%), Dyspnoea (20%), palpitation (16%) & anorexia (16%). Sign Pallor (70%), tachycardia (28%), edema (26%), etc. 3.All the types of anaemia are seen, namely normocytic (62%), microcytic (30%), macrocytic ( 6%) and anaemia associated with pancytopenia in 2% of the patients. 4.EtiologiesThe association is especially evident with chronic morbidities like renal failure

(22%), underlying malignancies(14%), infections like tuberculosis(5%), and chronic inflammatory states. 1.