Anaemia Prevalence and Associated Factors in Elderly Patients at St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kaduna, North West Nigeria

This study determines the prevalence of anaemia and its associated factors in elderly patients (60 years and above) attending the medical outpatient clinic at St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kaduna, North West Nigeria. Anaemia in the elderly is multifactorial, frequently underdiagnosed, and associated with increased mortality, functional decline, and prolonged hospitalisation. A cross-sectional study recruited 200 elderly patients and 80 age-matched non-elderly adults as a reference group. Full blood count, peripheral blood film examination, serum iron, ferritin, vitamin B12, folate, erythropoietin, and creatinine were assessed. Comorbidity data were obtained from case records. Anaemia prevalence was 54.5 percent among elderly patients, compared to 22.5 percent in non-elderly controls. The most common aetiological categories were anaemia of chronic disease (38%), iron deficiency (24%), vitamin B12 or folate deficiency (18%), and unexplained anaemia (12%). Multimorbidity, particularly chronic kidney disease and heart failure, was associated with significantly higher anaemia prevalence. Polypharmacy was identified as a contributing factor through drug-nutrient interactions affecting B12 absorption. The study recommends routine haemoglobin screening at every clinical encounter for patients above 60, structured nutritional assessment, and comprehensive aetiological workup of all confirmed cases to guide targeted management at St. Gerard Catholic Hospital Kaduna. Keywords: anaemia, elderly, anaemia of chronic disease, vitamin B12, Kaduna.