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Long-term use of low-dose aspirin is associated with a 20% increased risk of developing anemia and a drop in blood iron levels in older adults, according to a new analysis of a National Institutes of Health-funded clinical trial .
The report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine revealed that a group of 19,114 healthy adults at least 65 years old were randomly assigned to take 100 mg aspirin or a placebo to study the effect of low-dose aspirin on incident anemia, hemoglobin and serum ferritin. concentrations to be determined.
The participants were checked annually for hemoglobin concentration and three years after the baseline measurement for ferritin, a blood protein that contains iron.
At the end of the trial, researchers from Australia, New Zealand and the United States found that taking low-dose aspirin daily seemed to increase anemia and decrease levels of ferritin and hemoglobin. The results were independent of major bleeding.
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Taking low-dose aspirin was associated with a 20% increased risk of developing anemia. (iStock)
Anemia is quite common in older adults, with up to 23% of people over the age of 65 developing the condition, according to a study published in Neurology.
It is characterized by low hemoglobin levels and often causes fatigue, shortness of breath or heart problems.
Taking low-dose aspirin daily seemed to increase anemia and decrease levels of ferritin and hemoglobin. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Researchers noted that nearly 50% of older people in the United States take aspirin for preventative reasons, including thinning the blood to fight cardiovascular disease and prevent strokes.
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Lead author Zoe McQuilten, an associate professor at Monash University’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said that while bleeding is a known side effect of aspirin, few previous studies had looked at the effect of long-term aspirin use on the progressive development of anemia in older people. adults.
“This study provides a clearer picture of the additional risk of developing anemia with aspirin use, and the impact is likely to be greater in older adults with underlying illnesses, such as kidney disease,” McQuilten said.
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After the study, researchers suggested that older adults who regularly take low-dose aspirin get regular checkups for anemia by their doctors.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a writer on Fox News Digital’s breaking news team. You can reach her on Twitter at @s_rumpfwhiteten.
