Health Factors Associated with Frailty Biomarkers in the Elderly

Abstract

Background: Few studies associate adverse health factors with frailty defined by biomarkers. Aim: To evaluate the association of adverse health factors in elderly people (controlled by age group, gender, and activity) with the combined analysis of leukocytes and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Method: The study was a cross-sectional epidemiological investigation of an integral part of the ELSIU (Uberaba Elderly Health Study), consisting of a sample of 241 elderly people. The data collection involved physical performance tests, anthropometric measurements, and a questionnaire through individual interviews. Fragility was defined by the concomitant presence of BDNF serum levels ≤1888.42 mg/dL (first quartile) and a leukocyte count lower than 4, 000 mm³ or higher than 9,290 mm³. For the data analysis, descriptive statistic procedures (frequency, mean) and Poisson regression were used, p ≤ 0.05. Results: The prevalence of frailty was 8.7%, and this condition was more prevalent in elderly individuals who were hospitalized in the last three months (RP = 7.33) and among those with disability in the basic activities of daily living (BADLs) (RP = 7.64), controlled by age group, gender and the level of physical activity. Conclusion: The early identification of frailty using biomarkers associated with health factors (hospitalization and disability in BADLs) may provide early intervention for these individuals.