A recent population-based cohort study in Denmark has revealed a significant association between low-dose aspirin (LDA) use and the incidence of anaemia among older adults. Conducted from 2008 to 2013, the study included 313,508 individuals aged 65 and older, with 59,869 of them exposed to LDA for the prevention of cardiovascular events.
The findings indicate that those using LDA had a hematinic deficiency incidence of 9.6%, a striking increase compared to 3.7% in non-users. This corresponds to an incidence rate ratio of 9.11, suggesting a heightened risk for those on LDA. Similarly, anemia, as determined by haemoglobin measurements, was observed in 5.9% of LDA users, with an incidence rate ratio of 7.89.
Approximately 21.5% of individuals diagnosed with anaemia also experienced bleeding, raising concerns about the safety of long-term LDA use. Severe anaemia was more prevalent among LDA users, affecting 1.3% compared to 0.6% in non-users. The study noted a correlation between the severity of anaemia and reductions in haemoglobin and ferritin levels among those exposed to LDA.
These results highlight that in real-world settings, between 6 to 10 out of every 100 older adults on LDA may develop anaemia within the first five years of treatment. The findings underscore the importance of monitoring blood levels in older individuals prescribed low-dose aspirin, particularly for those at risk of anaemia.
Reference
Barbieri MA et al. Low-dose aspirin and risk of anaemia in older adults: Insights from a Danish Register-based cohort study. European Heart Journal0 Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes. 2024;qcae89.
