Association of vitamin D deficiency and anemia in a hospitalized geriatric population: denutrition as a confounding factor

Ann Hematol. 2013 May;92(5):615-9. doi: 10.1007/s00277-012-1633-9. Epub 2012 Dec 16.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the association between vitamin D deficiency and anemia in a hospitalized geriatric population. An observational study, at the acute care geriatric unit of Brest Hospital, France, was conducted among 226 patients aged ≥70 years consecutively hospitalized between January 22, 2010 and August 9, 2010. Vitamin D and hemoglobin levels were measured. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a 25(OH)D level <50 nmol/L and anemia as defined by the World Health Organization. After adjustment for albuminemia, anemia was not significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency (odds ratio (OR) = 1.37; 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.72-2.6). But anemia was significantly associated with hypoalbuminemia (OR = 2.08; 95 % CI = 1.11-3.91). Denutrition reflected by hypoalbuminemia could be a possible confounding factor in the previously described association between anemia and vitamin D deficiency.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anemia / blood
  • Anemia / complications*
  • Anemia / epidemiology*
  • Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic
  • Erythropoietin / blood
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • Geriatrics / statistics & numerical data
  • Hemoglobins / analysis
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Malnutrition / blood
  • Malnutrition / complications
  • Malnutrition / epidemiology*
  • Parathyroid Hormone / blood
  • Vitamin D / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / complications*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Hemoglobins
  • Parathyroid Hormone
  • Erythropoietin
  • Vitamin D