Types of anemia and mortality among older disabled women living in the community: the Women's Health and Aging Study I.

AimsTo classify the different types of anemia among moderately to severely disabled women living in the community and examine the relationship between types of anemia and mortality.MethodsWe studied anemia in 688 women, >or=65 years, in the Women's Health and Aging Study I, a population based study of moderately to severely disabled older women living in the community in Baltimore, Maryland. Anemia was defined by World Health Organization criteria. Causes of anemia were classified as due to nutritional deficiencies (iron, folate, and B12 deficiencies), anemia of chronic inflammation, anemia with renal disease, and unexplained anemia.Results147 of 688 (21.4%) women were anemic (hemoglobin ConclusionsAnemia is common among moderately to severely disabled older women living in the community, and about one-third of the anemia is unexplained. Anemia with renal disease and anemia of chronic inflammation are associated with a higher mortality.