Anemia Status, Hemoglobin Concentration, and Mortality in Nursing Home Older Residents

Our results obtained from a representative sample of very old and frail elderly subjects living in a nursing home expand the knowledge that high levels of hemoglobin are associated with better survival. Anemia should be actively sought, appropriate diagnostic strategies should be implemented to search for potentially correctable causes, and aggressive interventions may be warranted to reduce mortality and improve functional status.