A clinical analysis of 31 cases senile megaloblastic anemia

Objective: An analysis of the etiology factors and clinical feature of senile megaloblastic anemia. Methods: The 31 senile patients with megaloblastic anemia were analysed retrospectively. Results: The 31 cases with senile megaloblastic anemia accounted for 36.1% of total megaloblastic anemia patients in our hospital in the same period. Males were predominate with a male to female ratio 3.43∶1. 80.7% of senile megaloblastic anemia were the town inhabitant. 48.4% of them suffered from chronic gastric disorders. 32.3% senile patients showed severe anemia. 16% of senile megaloblastic anemia suffered from tuberculosis. Lactate dehydrogenase and bilirubin increased in 87.5% and 46.7% senile patients respectively. 29% of cases with senile megaloblastic anemia were misdiagnosed. The response to folic acid and vetamin B_(12) of all 31 cases was well. Conclusions: In recent years the incidence of megaloblastic anemia in elder is increaed. The main cause maybe is the increase of aging people, chronic gastric-intestinal disorders, their diet control and/or their food cooking excessively. The patients with senile megaloblastic anemia often have severe anemia, and they are easy to be misdiagnosed. The prognosis of them would be well if the diagnosis and treatment have been taken promptly.