Iron deficiency is not the main contributor to anemia in older Mexican adults: results from the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2018-19

Abstract

Objective: To describe the current status of anemia and iron deficiency (ID), as well as associated sociodemographic characteristics, in older adults (OA). Materials and meth-ods. Serum and capillary blood samples from a sample of OA participants (n2 902) from the Ensanut 2018-19 were analyzed. ID was defined as s-ferritin15 gL, and anemia was defined according to World Health Organization stan-dards. Logistic regression models were used to associate the characteristics of OA with anemia and ID.

Results: Of the OA analyzed, anemia was present in 28.4, ID in 5 and iron deficiency anemia in 2.07. Diabetes (OR2.14), renal insuf-ficiency (OR10.4), higher age, and urban dwelling (OR1.35) were conditions associated with higher odds for anemia (p0.05). Belonging to the 70-79 year age group was the only condition associated with higher odds for ID (OR1.86, p0.05).

Conclusions: Anemia affects a high proportion of OA, and ID is not the main contributor to anemia. Chronic comorbidities help explain the anemia problem in OA.