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

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 atSiti 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.