Interleukin-6 and Melatonin as Predictors of Cognitive, Emotional and Functional Ageing of Older People.

Anna Kurowska,Joanna Szklarczyk,Iwona Bodys-Cupak,Joanna Zalewska-Puchała,Magdalena Staszkiewicz,Anna Kliś-Kalinowska,Anna Majda,Marta Makara-Studzińska

doi:10.3390/ijerph17103623

Abstract

Background: The ageing process causes a number of changes in the human immune and endocrine systems. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between cognitive, emotional and functional skills as well lifestyle, versus selected biochemical indicators of the ageing process. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in a group of 121 people aged 60–90 residing in the Lesser Poland voivodship. The study used standardized research tools including the Barthel scale, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) and inventory of health behaviors (IHB). In addition, the concentration of IL-6 and melatonin in the blood plasma was determined. Results: We determined the correlation between the level of IL-6 in a group of people over 75 years of age (requiring medical care), and results of the IADL scale. There was also a correlation between melatonin levels and the MMSE results in a group of people aged 60–75 who did not require constant medical care. Conclusions: IL-6 can be treated as a predictor of functional skills of people over 75 years of age, and melatonin can be perceived as a factor for recognizing cognitive impairment in elderly people who do not require constant medical assistance.

Highlights

Various steps are taken to ensure that older people remain independent
(belonging to the comparative group) had better functional skills during basic daily activities which was indicated by a higher score on the Barthel scale
The respondents from the comparative group (CG) had more intense health behaviors and higher results in individual subscales of the inventory of health behaviors (IHB), including proper eating habits, preventive behaviors and a positive mental attitude compared to people undergoing inpatient care in ZOL and those in DDOM who required medical care (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Various steps are taken to ensure that older people remain independent. Some main factors that affect independence include cognitive, emotional and functional skills [1,2], the lack of which increases the sense of disability and powerlessness and increases the frequency of hospitalization and institutionalization into care and treatment facilities.Human ageing is accompanied by changes in the immune system, including chronic subliminal inflammation which means a 2- to 4-fold increase in circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. Various steps are taken to ensure that older people remain independent. Some main factors that affect independence include cognitive, emotional and functional skills [1,2], the lack of which increases the sense of disability and powerlessness and increases the frequency of hospitalization and institutionalization into care and treatment facilities. Human ageing is accompanied by changes in the immune system, including chronic subliminal inflammation which means a 2- to 4-fold increase in circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 3623; doi:10.3390/ijerph17103623 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph. The ageing process causes a number of changes in the human immune and endocrine systems. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between cognitive, emotional and functional skills as well lifestyle, versus selected biochemical indicators of the ageing process

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion