Abstract
For the purpose of elucidating the mechanism and preventing the occurrence of anemia often seen in elederly patients with kyphosis, we analyzed the medical records of 18 such cases. The ages ranged from 54 to 90 years old. Sixteen were female. Out of 12 patients with anemia, 10 were diagnosed as having iron deficiency anemia. In only 3 cases, however, the hemoglobin concentration was less than 9g/dl. Four out of the remaining 6 patiens without anemia were in iron deficiency condition. Esophagus, stomach, and duodenum were examined roentgenologically and endoscopically in 15 cases. Eight patients had esophageal hiatus herinia, 4 had gastric ulcer, 4 had chronic gastritis, one had gastroptosis, and one had duodenal ulcer. Only one patient was not demonstrated to have such a lesion. Oral iron therapy was done on 5 cases of iron deficiency anemia. The response to iron was good enough and the hemoglobin returned to a normal range in a short period of time, indicating that malabsorption of iron is not thought as a cuase of iron deficiency. No side effect was noted. The study described here clearly demonstrates that iron deficiency anemia is frequently complicated in elderly patients with kyphosis and that oral iron therapy is effective.
