Standard organ weights among elderly Japanese who died in hospital, including 50 centenarians

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine standard organ weights among the elderly, because little has been reported on this subject. To analyze the human aging process in terms of organ weights, age-associated changes and correlations among organ weights and the contributions of age and nutrition to organ weights were also examined. The subjects included 1615 consecutive autopsy cases of patients aged 60-99 years who died between 1995 and 2003, and cases of 50 centenarians who died between 1973 and 2005. The weights of nine organs were measured before formalin fixation. If affected by serious diseases, such as cancer, the organs were excluded from the study. Values beyond 99% of the bilateral measurement limits were also excluded. In this manner the standard organ weights were obtained. The organ weights decreased significantly according to age in all organs except for the heart in men and the lungs in both genders. Undernutrition strongly contributed to organ weight except for the hypophysis, and was especially apparent in the heart and liver. In conclusion, the standard organ weights of elderly patients who died while hospitalized were determined. Undernutrition contributed significantly to a reduction in organ weights.