Anemia and cognitive performance in hospitalized older patients: results from the GIFA study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Anemia represents a major risk factor for adverse health-related events in older persons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between hemoglobin levels/anemia and cognitive function in hospitalized older persons.

METHOD:

Data are from the Gruppo Italiano di Farmacovigilanza nell'Anziano (GIFA) study. Hemoglobin levels (in g/dL) were measured upon admission to hospital; anemia was defined according to the WHO criteria. Cognitive performance was assessed by the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) on admission; an AMT score <7 defined cognitive impairment. Logistic regressions and analyses of covariance were performed to evaluate the relationship between cognitive status and hemoglobin levels/anemia.

RESULTS:

Mean age of the sample (n = 13,301) was 72.0 years. Participants with cognitive impairment presented a higher prevalence of anemia (47%) compared to those without cognitive impairment (35%, p < 0.001). Adjusted logistic regressions showed that hemoglobin levels/anemia were significantly associated with cognitive impairment (OR = 0.96, 95%CI = 0.94-0.99, p = 0.004, and OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.18-1.48, p < 0.001, respectively). Patients with anemia and cognitive impairment at the hospital admission presented a higher number of impaired Activities of Daily Living compared to those with only one or none of the studied conditions (p for trend < 0.001).

CONCLUSION:

Low hemoglobin levels and anemia are independently associated with cognitive performance in older persons admitted to acute care units.

• Authors: Valentina Zamboni, Matteo Cesari, Giuseppe Zuccalà, Graziano Onder, Richard C Woodman, Cinzia Maraldi, Monica Ranzini, Stefano Volpato, Marco Pahor, Roberto Bernabei
• Journal: International journal of geriatric psychiatry (Int J Geriatr Psychiatry) Vol. 21 Issue 6 Pg. 529-34 (Jun 2006) ISSN: 0885-6230 [Print] England
• PMID: 16783797 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Hemoglobins

Topics

• Activities of Daily Living
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anemia (psychology)
• Cognition Disorders (etiology)
• Epidemiologic Methods
• Female
• Geriatric Assessment (methods)
• Hemoglobins (analysis)
• Hospitalization
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuropsychological Tests