EFFECTS OF ANEMIA ON THE OUTCOME IN ELDERLY ADMITTED TO THE ICU

Background : In critically ill patients, the increase in metabolic demands overwhelms the compensatory mechanisms for tolerating anemia, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Objectives : Assess the effect of anemia on the outcome of e lderly patients in ---------- - intensive care unit (ICU) Methodology : prospective study, 100 critically ill eldery patients. They were subjected to comprehensive geriatric assessment, complete blood count , evaluation of Acute Physiological and Chronic Hea lth Evaluation Score (APACHE II) on the first day of admission and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFA) score on admission and daily. Results : 61% anemic, no statistically significant difference between anemic and non anemic critically ill eld erly as regards mortality, length of stay, complications and APACHE II score (P>0.05) while SOFA scores were significantly higher among anemics (P<0.05). SOFA scores were significantly higher among patients with microcytic anemia than those with normocytic anemia and non anemic patients (P<0.05). SOFA on admission, maximum SOFA, mean SOFA and APACHE II scores were significantly higher in patients with moderate anemia (P<0.05). Conclusion : Anemia is considered an important parameter in critically ill elderly patients. Anemia affects the evaluation scoring of ICU patients and should be well considered in management and follow up.