Abstract
ObjectiveFrailty is an important geriatric syndrome. Adiponectin is an important adipokine that regulates energy homeostasis. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between plasma adiponectin levels and frailty in elders.MethodsThe demographic data, body weight, metabolic and inflammatory parameters, including plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), c-reactive protein (CRP) and adiponectin levels, were assessed. The frailty score was assessed using the Fried Frailty Index (FFI).ResultsThe mean (SD) age of the 168 participants [83 (49.4%) men and 85 (50.6%) women] was 76.86 (6.10) years. Judged by the FFI score, 42 (25%) elders were robust, 92 (54.7%) were pre-frail, and 34 (20.3%) were frail. The mean body mass index was 25.19 (3.42) kg/m2. The log-transformed mean (SD) plasma adiponectin (µg/mL) level was 1.00 (0.26). The log-transformed mean plasma adiponectin (µg/mL) levels were 0.93 (0.23) in the robust elders, 1.00 (0.27) in the pre-frail elders, and 1.10 (0.22) in the frail elders, and the differences between these values were statistically significant (p = 0.012). Further analysis showed that plasma adiponectin levels rose progressively with an increasing number of components of frailty in all participants as a whole (p for trend = 0.024) and males (p for trend = 0.037), but not in females (p for trend = 0.223).ConclusionPlasma adiponectin levels correlate positively with an increasing number of components of frailty in male elders. The difference between the sexes suggests that certain sex-specific mechanisms may exist to affect the association between adiponectin levels and frailty.
Highlights
Frailty is a geriatric syndrome associated with decreased physiologic reserve, functional decline, and increased vulnerability to stressors, which lead to disability and mortality [1]
We aimed to investigate the relationship between plasma adiponectin levels and geriatric frailty in both men and women
There was no significant difference in demographic variables except education between male and female subgroups
Summary
Frailty is a geriatric syndrome associated with decreased physiologic reserve, functional decline, and increased vulnerability to stressors, which lead to disability and mortality [1]. Fried’s concept of frailty postulates that frailty is initiated by the accumulation of factors such as lack of physical exercise, inadequate nutrition, injuries, disease, and drugs [3]. These factors may lead to chronic undernutrition, resulting in loss of bone and skeletal muscle mass and an increase in the degree of effort required for a given exercise intensity. Elders are more likely to avoid exercise as they believe that more effort is required These changes may result in a significant decrease in resting energy metabolism and total energy expenditure [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
