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Anemia and dementia among the elderly: the São Paulo Ageing & Health Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 September 2011

Itamar S. Santos ,
Márcia Scazufca ,
Paulo A. Lotufo ,
Paulo R. Menezes  and
Isabela M. Benseñor
Itamar S. Santos*
Affiliation:
University Hospital of the University of São Paulo, Internal Medicine Division, São Paulo, Brazil
Márcia Scazufca
Affiliation:
University of São Paulo Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, São Paulo, Brazil Clinics Hospital of the University of São Paulo Medical School, Psychiatry Division, São Paulo, Brazil
Paulo A. Lotufo
Affiliation:
University Hospital of the University of São Paulo, Internal Medicine Division, São Paulo, Brazil University of São Paulo Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
Paulo R. Menezes
Affiliation:
University of São Paulo Medical School, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
Isabela M. Benseñor
Affiliation:
University Hospital of the University of São Paulo, Internal Medicine Division, São Paulo, Brazil University of São Paulo Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Itamar S. Santos, Hospital Universitário – USP, 2565, Professor Lineu Prestes Ave., 3o andar – Centro de Pesquisa Clínica, São Paulo, Brazil. Phone: +55-11-3091-9300; Fax: +55-11-3091-4271.
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Abstract

Background: Anemia and dementia are common diseases among the elderly, but conflicting data are available regarding an association between these two conditions. We analyzed data from the São Paulo Ageing & Health Study to address the relationship between anemia and dementia.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included participants aged 65 years and older from a deprived area of the borough of Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil. Data about demographics, education, income, and cognitive and daily life function were collected, as well as blood samples. Anemia and dementia were defined according to WHO and DSM-IV criteria, respectively.

Results: Of the 2267 subjects meeting the inclusion criteria, 2072 agreed to participate in the study; of whom 1948 had a valid total blood count and were included in the analysis. Anemia was diagnosed in 203 (10.2%) participants and dementia in 99 (5.1%). The frequency of anemia was higher in patients with dementia according to univariate analysis (odds ratio (OR) = 2.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.17–3.41, p = 0.01), but this association was not present after adjusting for age (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 0.76–2.33, p = 0.32). Further multivariate adjustment did not change the results.

Conclusion: Although anemia and dementia are frequent disorders in older people, we found their relationship to be mediated exclusively by aging in this low-income population from São Paulo.

Keywords

epidemiologydeveloping countrymental state examinationmedical comorbidity
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 24 , Issue 1 , January 2012 , pp. 74 - 81
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2011

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