Study finds low-dose aspirin may increase risk of anemia in older adults

LOS ANGELES, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Daily low-dose aspirin increases the risk of anemia in people aged 65 years and older by approximately 20 percent, according to data of a clinical trial funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Anemia in older adults is associated with functional decline, increased fatigue, disabilities, depressive symptoms, and cognition problems.

The study examined the effect of long-term low-dose aspirin use on incident anemia and the effect of aspirin on changes in hemoglobin concentration, as well as ferritin levels, as an indicator of iron deficiency.

The researchers found that low-dose aspirin led to increased incident anemia in otherwise healthy older adults at enrollment, independent of major bleeding.

Given these findings, older adults on low-dose aspirin and their care providers may want to consider periodic monitoring of red blood cells or hemoglobin, the NIH said Tuesday.