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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Understanding red blood cell parameters in the context of the frailty phenotype: interpretations of the FIBRA (Frailty in Brazilian Seniors) study

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Author(s):
Silva, Joao Carlos [1] ; de Moraes, Zelia Vieira [1] ; da Silva, Conceicao Aparecida [1] ; Mazon, Silvia de Barros [2] ; Guariento, Maria Elena [1] ; Neri, Anita Liberalesso [1] ; Fattori, Andre [1]
Total Authors: 7
Affiliation:
[1] Campinas State Univ Unicamp, Fac Med Sci, Dept Internal Med, Campinas, SP - Brazil
[2] Campinas State Univ Unicamp, Fac Med Sci, Dept Clin Pathol, Campinas, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: ARCHIVES OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS; v. 59, n. 3, p. 636-641, NOV-DEC 2014.
Web of Science Citations: 11
Abstract

Frailty and anemia in the elderly appear to share a common pathophysiology associated with chronic inflammatory processes. This study uses an analytical, cross-sectional, population-based methodology to investigate the probable relationships between frailty, red blood cell parameters and inflammatory markers in 255 community-dwelling elders aged 65 years or older. The frailty phenotype was assessed by non-intentional weight loss, fatigue, low grip strength, low energy expenditure and reduced gait speed. Blood sample analyses were performed to determine hemoglobin level, hematocrit and reticulocyte count, as well as the inflammatory variables IL-6, IL-1 ra and hsCRP. In the first multivariate analysis (model I), considering only the erythroid parameters, Hb concentration was a significant variable for both general frailty status and weight loss: a 1.0 g/dL drop in serum Hb concentration represented a 2.02-fold increase (CI 1.12-3.63) in an individual's chance of being frail. In the second analysis (model II), which also included inflammatory cytokine levels, hsCRP was independently selected as a significant variable. Each additional year of age represented a 1.21-fold increase in the chance of being frail, and each 1-unit increase in serum hsCRP represented a 3.64-fold increase in the chance of having the frailty phenotype. In model II reticulocyte counts were associated with weight loss and reduced metabolic expenditure criteria. Our findings suggest that reduced Hb concentration, reduced RetAbs count and elevated serum hsCRP levels should be considered components of frailty, which in turn is correlated with sarcopenia, as evidenced by weight loss. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)