what chronic disease cause anemia in seniors
A cause is found in approximately 80 percent of elderly patients. The most common causes of anemia in the elderly are chronic disease and iron deficiency. Vitamin B 12 deficiency, folate deficiency, gastrointestinal bleeding and myelodysplastic syndrome are among other causes of anemia in the elderly.Serum ferritin is the most useful test to differentiate iron deficiency anemia from anemia of chronic disease.hile studies suggest that vitamin B 12 (cobalamin) deficiency is the cause of anemia in 5 to 10 percent of elderly patients, the actual prevalence of vitamin B 12 deficiency is likely to be much higher in the elderly. 4, 23 Vitamin B 12 deficiency is difficult to detect in the elderly.