There were no statistically significant differences in adverse effects , length of hospitalisation or mortality .
Conclusion Oral iron raises haemoglobin levels in elderly people with iron deficiency anaemia by 0.35 g/dL after 4–6 weeks , but it is unclear if this results in tangible health benefits
Background Oral iron supplementation is used widely in older people despite observational studies suggesting it is ineffective .
Objective The aim of this systematic review was to determine if oral iron therapy is effective in elderly people with iron deficiency anaemia .
Iron, folate and vitamins B12 & C dietary intake of an elderly institutionalized population in León, Spain.
Aging is associated with increased risk of developing anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the daily intake of micronutrient whose deficient in diet could cause anaemia ( iron , folic acid , vitamin B12 ) and vitamin C to establish the prevalence of anaemia in a group of institutionalized of 124 elderly subjects residing in five nursing homes in León ( Spain ) . A precise weighing method was used to conduct the control of food intake covering seven days . Energy , alcohol , iron , folate , vitamin B12 , and vitamin C intake were obtained . Weight , and Height also were measured . Serum iron , serum ferritin , haemoglobin and hematocrit were also measured . Average daily iron intake was higher than the 10 mg recommended by the National Academy of Science although significantly higher ( p < 0.05 ) in males ( 17.0 + /- 7.4 mg ) than in females ( 11.8 + /- 1.5 mg ) . Moreover , vitamin C intake in all subjects is high ( 118.8 + /- 43.7 mg ) and higher than Spanish RDA ( 198 % ) . Average intakes of folate and vitamin B12  in the present study exceeded the RDA , ( 103 % and 144 % ) . However , 45.83 % of males and 5.97 % of females showed deficiencies in vitamin B12 and 53.91 % of the subjects showed deficiencies in folic acid . The average haemoglobin concentration ( 14.28 + /- 1.33 g/dL ) , hematocrit percentage ( 43.71 + /- 6.31 ) , ferritin concentration ( 87.01 + /- 59.74 ng/mL ) and serum iron ( 85.36 + /- 33.98 micrograms/dL ) showed similar figures to the results obtained in other studies carried out on elderly population s. It would be necessary to adequately compose the menus given in nursing homes , decreasing energy contribution , and supplying micronutrient rich foods or fortified foods
There were no statistically significant differences in adverse effects , length of hospitalisation or mortality .
Conclusion Oral iron raises haemoglobin levels in elderly people with iron deficiency anaemia by 0.35 g/dL after 4–6 weeks , but it is unclear if this results in tangible health benefits
Background Oral iron supplementation is used widely in older people despite observational studies suggesting it is ineffective .
Objective The aim of this systematic review was to determine if oral iron therapy is effective in elderly people with iron deficiency anaemia .