Hemoglobin Levels and Skeletal Muscle: Results From the InCHIANTI Study

Background. Anemia is associated with reduced physical performance and muscle strength. The aim of the study was to explore whether anemia and hemoglobin levels are associated with differences in quantitative and qualitative measures of muscle and fat. Methods. The study sample consisted of 909 participants 65 years and older enrolled in the “Invecchiare in Chianti” (InCHIANTI) study, a prospective population-based study of older people aimed at identifying risk factors for late-life disability. All the analyses were performed considering continuous hemoglobin levels as well as the dichotomous anemia variable (defined according to World Health Organization criteria as hemoglobin