Prevalence of anemia in elderly subjects living at home: role of micronutrient deficiency and inflammation

Aging is associated with increased risk of developing anemia and micronutrient deficiencies. Wheat-based staple foods are iron fortified in Chile. We aimed to establish the prevalence and etiology of anemia in apparently healthy free-living elderly subjects. A cross-sectional study was performed in an outpatient clinic of Santiago, Chile. A group of 274 subjects (93 men, 181 women)>/=60 y old living at home and apparently healthy was studied. Clinical and anthropometric evaluations and dietary survey were performed. Complete blood count, and status of iron, copper, folate, vitamins B12 and A and C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were measured. Prevalence of anemia was 5.4% for men and 4.4% for women. Subjects with inflammatory process had a higher prevalence of anemia (22.2% men, 31.6% women). Abnormal serum retinol (