Abstract
BackgroundPreviously, several indexes based on a large number of clinical and laboratory tests to predict mortality and frailty have been produced. However, there is still a need for an easily applicable screening tool for every-day clinical practice.MethodsA prospective study with 10- and 18-year follow-ups. Fourteen common laboratory tests were combined to an index. Cox regression model was used to analyse the association of the laboratory index with institutionalization and mortality.ResultsThe mean age of the participants (n = 1153) was 73.6 (SD 6.8, range 64.0–100.0) years. Altogether, 151 (14.8%) and 305 (29.9%) subjects were institutionalized and 422 (36.6%) and 806 (69.9%) subjects deceased during the 10- and 18-year follow-ups, respectively. Higher LI (laboratory index) scores predicted increased mortality. Mortality rates increased as LI scores increased both in unadjusted and in age- and gender-adjusted models during both follow-ups. The LI did not significantly predict institutionalization either during the 10- or 18-year follow-ups.ConclusionsA practical index based on routine laboratory tests can be used to predict mortality among older people. An LI could be automatically counted from routine laboratory results and thus an easily applicable screening instrument in clinical settings.
Highlights
Several indexes based on a large number of clinical and laboratory tests to predict mortality and frailty have been produced
Frailty is a syndrome defined as a loss of resources in several domains leading to increased vulnerability to stressors [1,2,3,4]
A laboratory-based index and a clinical Frailty indexes (FI) were both independently associated with mortality
Summary
Several indexes based on a large number of clinical and laboratory tests to predict mortality and frailty have been produced. Signs, diseases, disabilities, medications, or laboratory measurements can be combined in an Earlier studies have demonstrated that prediction of mortality and other adverse health outcomes can be based on laboratory data [8, 14, 17, 18, 20, 21]. Heikkilä et al BMC Geriatrics (2021) 21:139 factors, such as various diseases, characterized by increased frequency in the elderly, influence blood-derived biochemical values [22] The impact of these factors may differ in the elderly compared with younger age groups [22]. Howlett et al [20] demonstrated that a laboratory data -based index can be used to identify older adults at increased risk of death. A laboratory-based index has been studied in acutely ill older adults admitted to hospital and could be useful in an acute setting [24,25,26]
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