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What is the most common cause of iron deficiency in the elderly?

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), anemia affects over 20% of adults aged 85 and older. The most common cause of iron deficiency in the elderly is chronic blood loss, often from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The insidious nature of this blood loss can make it difficult to detect, and it's frequently exacerbated by common health conditions and medications prevalent in this age group.