Anemia, a risk factor for gastroenteritis among the elderly in India: evidence from the LASI cohort

BackgroundAnemia and gastroenteritis are major public health concerns, particularly among the elderly population. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anemia and its association with gastroenteritis among older adults in India using data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI). The study was planned to comprehensively understand the epidemiology, risk factors, and potential interventions for anemia and gastroenteritis among the elderly Indian population. MethodsA secondary analysis was performed on data from the first wave of Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) conducted in 2017-2018, involving 72,250 adults aged 45 and above. The prevalence of anemia was calculated, and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between anemia and self-reported gastroenteritis/diarrhea, adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related factors. ResultsThe prevalence of anemia in the study population was 3.89% (2,586 cases). Women (69.1%), rural residents (74.0%), and those with lower educational attainment were disproportionately affected by anemia. Individuals with anemia had a five-fold increased likelihood of experiencing gastroenteritis (adjusted OR = 5.0, 95% CI: 3.44-7.42) compared to non-anemic individuals, even after adjusting for potential confounders. ConclusionThe study highlights the substantial burden of anemia among the aging population in India and its strong association with the occurrence of gastroenteritis. Targeted interventions addressing anemia and its underlying determinants, particularly in vulnerable populations, and strategies for the prevention and management of gastroenteritis are warranted to improve the well-being and quality of life of India's elderly population.