Parámetros de laboratorio en centenarios y nonagenarios de Castilla y León

Laburpena

Introduction: There are few studies aimed at determining reference parameters for biochemistry analyses in the elderly. An attempt was made to define these by measuring serum biochemistry parameters in centenarians and nonagenarians on our geographic area. Materials and methods: Two groups of elderly individuals from the Hospital Universitario Rio Hortega (Valladolid, Spain) were selected: 30 healthy centenarians and 80 nonagenarians. Control group included 110 healthy normal adults. Laboratory parameter levels were determined using automated systems. Data were analysed for significance using a blocked analysis of variance from the above groups to determine if the mean levels of 20 parameters were different. In addition, a factorial analysis has been conducted so as to locate variables and cases in 3D graphs. Results: Significant differences were observed for serum total proteins, cholesterol, alanine-aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase and folic acid levels, being reduced in centenarians compared to the control group, whereas urea, uric acid, homocysteine and ferritin levels were found to be significantly increased. In nonagenarians, the only significant differences compared to the control subjects were for, urea (increased), total proteins and cholesterol (decreased). In the centenarians of our population, a high coefficient (r2 = 0,86) was found for the relationship between alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. Among the elderly homocysteine correlated inversely with serum vitamin B12 (r2 = 0,88). Conclusion: With the exceptions of urea, total proteins and cholesterol, reference values of healthy adults can also generally been used for the nonagenarians group. In the centenarians, due to the significant changes compared to the control group for half of the assayed parameters, in particular, urea, uric acid, total proteins, cholesterol, alanine-aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, homocysteine, folic acid and ferritin, it is recommended to have specific reference intervals for these.