An Overview of the Study

An analysis of data from a study called ASPREE found that low-dose aspirin use was associated with an increased risk of anemia among healthy older adults.

Analysis of the ASPREE study (ASPirin in Reduction of events in Elderly) found that 100 mg aspirin was associated with a 20% increase in anemia and a decrease in ferritin or serum iron levels in healthy older adults.

The Importance of Monitoring Hemoglobin Levels

These data suggest that in elderly patients taking aspirin, periodic monitoring of hemoglobin should be carried out.

The Risk of Bleeding with Aspirin Use

One of the complications of aspirin use is an increased risk of major bleeding, especially gastrointestinal bleeding.

Although the risk of overt bleeding due to aspirin use is well characterized, very few studies have measured the effect of aspirin on anemia, especially in the elderly.

The Study Conducted by Monash University Melbourne

Researchers at Monash University Melbourne conducted a retrospective analysis of the randomized controlled trial ASPREE.

The study involved 19,114 people aged 70 and over from Australia and the United States who were randomly assigned to take aspirin 100 mg daily or placebo. Investigators measured hemoglobin annually and ferritin was measured at baseline and 3 years after randomization.

The Findings of the Study

The data showed that the risk of anemia was 23.5% among those who took low-dose aspirin, compared with 20.3% for those who took placebo.

These results were associated with a slight decrease in mean hemoglobin and a large decrease in ferritin among those who took aspirin.

The Risk of Clinical Bleeding

Of note, 3% of participants in the aspirin group had at least one clinical bleeding compared with 2.1% of participants in the placebo group.

The researchers say low doses of aspirin increased the risk of anemia during the trial, and this was likely due to bleeding that was not clinically evident. They added that for many people, anemia can have other consequences, such as fatigue and a general decline in function and cognition.

The Prevalence of Anemia in the Elderly

Remarkably, approximately 30% of people aged 75 and over worldwide are anemic. Anemia in the elderly is most commonly associated with iron deficiency (15–20%), comorbidities (including kidney failure), and/or inflammation (eg, anemia of chronic disease), and in about a third of cases, the cause remains unknown.

The Conclusion of the Study

The analysis is published in Annals. of Medicine of the internal organs.

Source: Medical Express