Estudo da prevalência de anemia em idosos atendidos pela Estratégia Saúde da Família do município de Porto Alegre

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of anemia among elderly people related to the socioeconomic, hygienic, sanitary and health conditions in older people attended by the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional and exploratory study in which community health workers applied a questionnaire, that contained epidemiological information, and the project researchers collect the blood sampling. This study is part of the "Clinical and epidemiological study of the elderly people attended by the FHS in the city of Porto Alegre". The initial sample calculated for this project was 1080 senior citizens, it were chosen 36 from each of the 30 ESF teams. For this work was establish a minimun sample size of 540 senior citizens, considering 2,5% of error for an expected prevalence of anemia of 10,0%. The hematological parameters evaluated were hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and red cell distribution width (RDW). Results: Were assessed 556 senior citizens, aged 60 or older, of both sexes. The prevalence of anemia, assessed by hemoglobin measurement was 8,8%, representing 10,1% for men and 8,1 % for women . A normochromic normocytic anemia was the type of anemia most commonly found (34,0%), suggesting chronic disease. Furthermore, the prevalence of normocytic and hypochromic anemia was 32,0%, suggesting an evolution of anemia by chronic disease in early stages of iron deficiency. Analysing health and socioeconomic conditions, significant differences were found among age range, race, educational level, presence or absence of primary caregiver, hospitalization, thyroid disease, report of weakness and use of antianemics medications. Conclusion: Numerous are the triggering factors of low hemoglobin levels. Factors such as age, race, family income, education, care, associated diseases are relevant to influence this event. Anemia should not be considered only associated with aging condition, but to many diseases that are common in this population and therefore deserves appropriate medical attention. Characterization of anemia should be carefully performed to aid its correct treatment.