May 1, 2024

Elderly Beware: Sneaky 20% Boost in Anemia Risk With Low-Dose Aspirin Use

The ASPREE Trial: Methodology and Results
This trial included 19,114 participants aged 70 or older, who were arbitrarily given a day-to-day dose of either 100 mg of aspirin or a placebo. The data indicated a 23.5% risk of anemia development amongst the low-dose aspirin group.
Potential Causes and Implications
Clinically significant bleeding events did not represent the general difference in anemia incidents or the ferritin decline observed in the ASPREE trial. Rather, it is likely that concealed blood loss, as suggested by the steeper ferritin decrease in aspirin users, is the primary cause.
Referral: “Effect of Low-Dose Aspirin Versus Placebo on Incidence of Anemia in the Elderly: A Secondary Analysis of the Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly Trial” by Zoe K. McQuilten, MB, BS, PhD, Le Thi Phuong Thao, PhD, Sant-Rayn Pasricha, MB, BS, PhD, Andrew S. Artz, MD, MS, Michael Bailey, PhD, Andrew T. Chan, MD, MPH, Harvey Jay Cohen, MD, Jessica E. Lockery, MB, BS, PhD, Anne M. Murray, MD, MSc, Mark R. Nelson, MB, BS, PhD, Hans G. Schneider, MD, Rory Wolfe, PhD, Robyn L. Woods, PhD, Erica M. Wood, MB, BS and John J. McNeil, MB, BS, PhD, 20 June 2023, Annals of Internal Medicine.DOI: 10.7326/ M23-0675.

The data showed a 23.5% danger of anemia development amongst the low-dose aspirin group.

An analysis of the ASPREE trial showed that low-dose aspirin usage can result in a 20% boost in anemia and a decline in ferritin levels in older grownups. The study suggests that concealed blood loss, not substantial bleeding occasions, might be the main cause.
An analysis of the ASPREE (ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) trial revealed that low-dose aspirin use led to a 20% increase in the incident of anemia and a reduction in ferritin (blood iron) levels in otherwise healthy older adults. This suggests that older clients taking aspirin needs to be frequently monitored for hemoglobin levels. The analysis was published on June 20 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Aspirin Usage Among the Elderly in the United States
About half of the elderly population in the United States have reported preventative use of aspirin. Aspirin usage, nevertheless, can potentially result in major bleeding, particularly in the gastrointestinal system. While the threat of overt bleeding from aspirin usage is well-documented, just a handful of research studies have checked out the result of aspirin on anemia, specifically in older age.

An analysis of the ASPREE (ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) trial revealed that low-dose aspirin usage led to a 20% boost in the occurrence of anemia and a decline in ferritin (blood iron) levels in otherwise healthy older grownups. While the danger of obvious bleeding from aspirin use is well-documented, only a handful of research studies have actually explored the result of aspirin on anemia, especially in older age groups.