Long-term assessment of inflammation and healthy aging in late life: The cardiovascular health study all stars

Nancy S. Jenny, Benjamin French, Alice M. Arnold, Elsa S. Strotmeyer, Mary Cushman, Paulo H.M. Chaves, Jingzhong Ding, Linda P. Fried, Stephen B. Kritchevsky, Dena E. Rifkin, Mark J. Sarnak, Anne B. Newman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

84 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background.Associations of inflammation with age-related pathologies are documented; however, it is not understood how changes in inflammation over time impact healthy aging. Methods.We examined associations of long-term change in C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) with concurrent onset of physical and cognitive impairment, subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality in 1,051 participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study All Stars Study. Biomarkers were measured in 1996-1997 and 2005-2006. Results. In 2005-2006, median age was 84.9 years, 63% were women and 17% non-white; 21% had at least a doubling in CRP over time and 23% had at least a doubling in IL-6. Adjusting for demographics, CVD risk factors, and 1996-1997 CRP level, each doubling in CRP change over 9 years was associated with higher risk of physical or cognitive impairment (odds ratio 1.29; 95% confidence interval 1.15, 1.45). Results were similar for IL-6 (1.45; 1.20, 1.76). A doubling in IL-6 change over time, but not CRP, was associated with incident CVD events; hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) 1.34 (1.03, 1.75). Doubling in change in each biomarker was individually associated with mortality (CRP: 1.12 [1.03, 1.22]; IL-6 1.39 [1.16, 1.65]). In models containing both change and 2005-2006 level, only level was associated with CVD events and mortality. Conclusions .Although increases in inflammation markers over 9 years were associated with higher concurrent risk of functional impairment and subsequent CVD events and mortality, final levels of each biomarker appeared to be more important in determining risk of subsequent events than change over time

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)970-976
Number of pages7
JournalJournals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
Volume67 A
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Cognitive function
  • Inflammation
  • Physical function

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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