Even a low dose of Aspirin for healthy older adults may do more harm than good, a new study finds

A review of the ASPREE (ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) study has established a link between the consumption of low-dose aspirin and a 20% rise in the occurrence of anemia, coupled with a drop in ferritin, which measures iron levels in the blood, among aging adults who are generally healthy.

This implies that periodic checking of hemoglobin might be beneficial for older individuals who consume aspirin.

The study’s findings were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Around 50% of the elderly population in the United States are known to use aspirin as a preventive measure. The increased risk of severe bleeding, especially gastrointestinal bleeding, is one of the known side effects of aspirin.

While the potential for obvious bleeding due to aspirin has been well-documented, there have been scarce studies examining its effect on anemia, particularly among older demographics.

A subsequent analysis of the ASPREE randomized controlled trial was carried out by researchers from Monash University in Melbourne.

The trial comprised 19,114 individuals aged 70 or above who were randomly chosen to receive either a daily dose of 100 mg aspirin or a placebo. Hemoglobin was assessed yearly, while ferritin levels were evaluated at the start and 3 years post-randomization.

The results indicated a 23.5% risk of developing anemia among those assigned to low-dose aspirin. This was coupled with a minor yet more pronounced drop in average hemoglobin and a more substantial reduction in ferritin levels among aspirin recipients.

The observed variance in anemia incidences or the decline in ferritin from the ASPREE trial was not solely due to differences in significant bleeding episodes.

Instead, it is most likely attributable to hidden blood loss, as suggested by the more severe decrease in ferritin levels in those assigned to aspirin.

Image Credit: Shutterstock