Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of iron deficiency with serum ferritin in elderly population, and to appreciate the opportunity of early screening according to digestive diseases.
Subjects and methods: Data were collected from 3524 men and 3120 women aged 60 to 75 years during a health screening examination. Evaluation of diagnosis and treatment were obtained through questionnaire completed by treating physician.
Results: The frequency of hypoferritinemia was about 2.3% in our population (hypoferritinemia was defined by serum ferritin<20 microg/L or between 20-40 microg/L if C reactive protein was > 12 mg/L). Anemia was found in 3.3% of patients. Logistic regression model adjusting for multiple variables was used to examine factors associated with hypoferritinemia. The probability was greater among non-anemic patients with chronic digestive bleeding (odds-ratio: 2.3), or with positive occult blood testing (odds-ratio: 2.3). Information about the medical follow-up was obtained in 81% of patients with hypoferritinemia. A digestive exploration was made in 38 cases. Digestive disease was found among 24.3% patients with hypoferritinemia, and three colorectal cancers were observed.
Conclusion: The screening of hypoferritinemia in elderly population examined in health screening centres could not be recommended as its frequency was low in this population, despite a strong correlation between hypoferritinemia and digestive diseases.