High Erythropoietin Levels in Elderly Linked to Increased Mortality Risk

High erythropoietin levels in the elderly population are linked to an increased mortality risk, according to the results of the Leiden 85-plus Study, a population-based, prospective follow-up study, reported online October 25 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

"High erythropoietin levels have been shown to predict the risk of death among patients with chronic heart failure. We investigated the prognostic value of elevated erythropoietin levels on mortality among very elderly people in the general population.

"Among people aged 85 years and older, elevated erythropoietin levels were associated with an increased risk of death, independent of hemoglobin levels," the study authors write.

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