Level Of Erythropoietin in Elderly Patients Presenting with Anemia of Unknown Etiology: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Aim: To assess the level of erythropoietin in elderly patients presenting with anemia of unknown etiology

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study

Place and duration: This study was conducted at Indus Hospital Bhong Sadiqabad, Pakistan from June 2020 to June 2021

Methodology: A total of 205 patients of age above 60 years were considered in this study. Erythropoietin level of all the patients was measured in a period of  one year. All the patients were categorized into 10 groups of etiologies after a thorough review. To analyze and compare, the group with iron deficiency anemia was selected as a standard.

Results: Total 131 (63.9%) were male and 74 (36.09%) were female. Total 42 patients had anemia of unknown etiology. They had a mean erythropoietin level of 40.2 compared to 101.5 of iron deficiency anemia. However, the mean hemoglobin is 10.74 which is higher when compared to 9.55 of iron deficiency anemia.

Conclusion: The level of erythropoietin in anemia of unknown etiology was inadequately low in comparison with iron deficiency anemia. Hence, the low level of erythropoietin in such patients promotes the pathogenesis of anemia of unknown etiology.