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Studies from University of Tampere update current data on chronic disease epidemiology

NewsRx.com

10-25-07

New investigation results, 'Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein as predictors of mortality in nonagenarians: the vitality 90+ study,' are detailed in a study published in Journals of Gerontology Series a (see also Chronic Disease Epidemiology). "' Inflammation plays a major role in both aging and chronic disease. Longitudinal studies in very old people can improve our understanding of these processes," scientists in Finland report.

"We investigated blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), and their combinations as predictors of mortality in nonagenarians. This is a prospective population-based study including both community-dwelling and institutionalized nonagenarians enrolled in the Vitality 90+ Study. Altogether 285 persons participated in the baseline interview and gave blood. Information on chronic disease was drawn from health center registers. Data on mortality over 4 years were obtained from the Population Register Center. In Cox proportional hazards models, chronic disease and major risk factors were adjusted for. Plasma levels of IL-1ra, IL-6, and CRP were higher in persons who died during the follow-up than in those who survived. When sex, education, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, history of infections, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, Mini-Mental State Examination, body mass index, smoking status, and exercise were adjusted for, only IL-1ra was a significant predictor of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 2.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-3.62). Persons in the upper tertiles of both CRP and IL-1ra (HR 2.72; 95% CI, 1.25-6.00), or in the upper tertile of all three markers (HR 2.34; 95% CI, 1.23-4.61), had higher mortality than those who were not in the upper tertile in any of the markers. IL-1ra is a powerful prognostic marker in very old people," wrote M. Jylh and colleagues, University of Tampere.

The researchers concluded: "Our results implicate its role in the complex interaction between inflammatory markers in aging and disease."

Jylh and colleagues published their study in the Journals of Gerontology Series a (Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein as predictors of mortality in nonagenarians: the vitality 90+ study. Journals of Gerontology Series a, 2007;62(9):1016-21).

For additional information, contact M. Jylh??, FIN-33014 University of Tampere, Tampere School of Public Health, Finland.