Low-dose aspirin may increase anaemia risk in healthy older adults:
study

Date:
June 20, 2023
Source:
Monash University
Summary:
A new study analysing data from the landmark ASPREE trial has found
that prolonged daily aspirin use increases the risk of anaemia
by 20 per cent in people mostly aged 70 and over. The results
have prompted researchers to suggest that regular monitoring for
anaemia be considered for older adults who take low-dose aspirin,
and if older adults have concerns about their health or medications
they should discuss them with their GP.


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FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A new study analysing data from the landmark ASPREE trial has found that prolonged daily aspirin use increases the risk of anaemia by 20 per cent
in people mostly aged 70 and over.

The results have prompted researchers to suggest that regular monitoring
for anaemia be considered for older adults who take low-dose aspirin,
and if older adults have concerns about their health or medications they
should discuss them with their GP.

The results have prompted researchers to suggest that regular monitoring
for anaemia be considered for older adults who take low-dose aspirin and
to discuss any concerns about their health or medications with their GP.

The Monash University-led study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, followed 18,153 initially healthy older adults in Australia and the USA
and recorded incidents of anaemia over an average 4.7 years.

The risk of developing anaemia was found to be 20 per cent higher in
the aspirin group compared to those in the placebo group.

It was the largest study to investigate anaemia in older people as part
of a randomised controlled trial, ASPREE (ASPirin in Reducing Events
in the Elderly) -- with half the participants taking a placebo and the
other half a daily low dose (100mg) of aspirin.

Anaemia is commonly experienced by older adults, potentially affecting
overall function and increasing fatigue, disabilities, depressive symptoms
and cognitive problems.

In addition to a higher risk of anaemia, blood tests revealed a faster
decline of haemoglobin and reduced ferritin (a protein that carries iron) levels in the aspirin group compared to the placebo group.

Lead author, Associate Professor Zoe McQuilten from Monash University's
School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said while bleeding
was a known side- effect of aspirin, few previous studies had looked at
the effect of prolonged aspirin use on the progressive development of
anaemia in older adults.

"This study gives a clearer picture of the additional risk of becoming
anaemic with aspirin use and the impact is likely to be greater in older
adults with underlying diseases, such as kidney disease," Associate
Professor McQuilten said.

Associate Professor McQuilten said the new data gave doctors insight
into the risk of anaemia from prolonged aspirin use by their older
patients. "Older adults are more likely to become anaemic generally
and now doctors can potentially identify patients at higher risk of
developing anaemia," she said.

Associate Professor McQuilten urged patients to follow the advice of
their doctor about their daily use of aspirin. She cautioned that for
some older adults, aspirin was recommended as a valuable therapy to
prevent recurring heart attacks or stroke. "Patients should not change
their aspirin regimen without speaking to their GP," she said.

* RELATED_TOPICS
o Health_&_Medicine
# Elder_Care # Anemia # Mental_Health_Research #
Stroke_Prevention # Menopause # Sickle_Cell_Anemia #
Diseases_and_Conditions # Today's_Healthcare
* RELATED_TERMS
o Hair o Mammography o Trans_fat o Aspirin o Alzheimer's_disease
o Adult_attention-deficit_disorder o Zone_diet o
General_fitness_training

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Monash_University. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Zoe K. McQuilten, Le Thi Phuong Thao, Sant-Rayn Pasricha, Andrew
S. Artz,
Michael Bailey, Andrew T. Chan, Harvey Jay Cohen, Jessica
E. Lockery, Anne M. Murray, Mark R. Nelson, Hans G. Schneider,
Rory Wolfe, Robyn L.

Woods, Erica M. Wood, John J. McNeil. Effect of Low-Dose Aspirin
Versus Placebo on Incidence of Anemia in the Elderly. Annals of
Internal Medicine, 2023; DOI: 10.7326/M23-0675 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230620113801.htm

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