Identification of the Main Causes of Anemia in Older Adults

A survey with cross-sectional design was applied in 829 older Mexican adults, recruited during the period July to September 2015, from four localities in the southern region of México: including Champotón, Campeche, Mérida, and Valladolid. Older adults were interviewed at their homes to collect nutrition, health, cognitive and dietary information. Anthropometric measures and functionallity tests were also collected. A finger prick capillary blood sample was collected to measure hemoblobin in situ using HemoCue. Anemia was defined according to WHO criteria. A fasting venous blood sample was collected in 803 older adults. Serum was separated and frozen at -20°C to measure ferritin, retinol, vitamin B12, folate, iron, soluble transferrin receptor, C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, alpha glycoprotein 1, hepcidin, erythropoietin in the laboratory of nutrition of the National Institute of Public Health.

The study protocol was approved by Research, Biosecurity and Ethics Committees of the National Institute of Public Health. Participants received a detailed explanation of the study procedures and signed an informed consent form prior to data collection.