Study of anemia in long-term care (SALT): prevalence of anemia and its relationship with the risk of falls in nursing home residents.

Objective: The objectives of the current study were twofold. First, this study examined the prevalence of anemia in nursing home residents in the USA and its relationship with key resident characteristics and medical conditions. Second, the study explored whether an association between anemia and falls is evident in this same population. Research design and methods: Chart review was conducted in 40 nursing homes across the USA. Residents were randomly sampled and considered eligible if they: were ≥ 18 years of age; had ≥1 hemoglobin (Hb) level reported during the data uptake period of 1/1/04-2/1/05 (first occurrence defined as index Hb); had a recorded serum creatinine level; maintained residency in the facility; and did not receive dialysis during the 6-month post-index follow-up period. Resident demographics, laboratory values, comorbid conditions, medication regimens, falling events, physical functioning measures, and hospitalizations were obtained from chart data. The relationship between selected resident characteristics and comorbidities was explored with index Hb level, using multiple linear regression. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between falling and recurrent falls with anemia (index Hb