Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Many studies have pointed to the importance of chronic inflammation and dyslipidemia in the development of atherosclerosis, but data related to the elderly population are still inconsistent. The aim of the work: To determine the importance of determination of markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein - CRP) and lipid status in elderly (≥65 years), functionally dependent persons.

Methods: A prospective study that included 257 patients (aged 65-99 years, 76.9% women) of the City Institute for Gerontology, Belgrade. At the beginning of the study patients were divided into three groups based on CRP values: group A (CRP<1 mg/l, n= 70), group B (CRP 1-3 mg/l, n= 69) and group C (CRP >3 mg/l, n=69). Patients with CRP>10 mg/l were excluded from the study. Lipidogram, glycemia, HbA1c, then anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and pulse were measured in each patient. After a two-year follow-up, mortality and the factors that influenced its occurrence were analyzed.

Results: CRP showed a significant positive correlation with waist circumference (P=0.005), hips (P=0.012), HbA1c (P=0.033) and triglycerides (P=0.028), and a negative correlation with Hdl-cholesterol (P=0.013). Of the lipid risk factors, only the ratios total cholesterol/Hdl (P=0.019) and triglycerides/Hdl (P=0.045) were significantly lower in group A compared to group B, and without differences compared to group C. However, elevated cholesterol is an independent risk factor for Mt only in group C: OR=3.71 (95%C:1.09-12.63).

Conclusion: Determination of CRP helps to identify old people who are at high risk and in whom the treatment of hyperlipidemia is most important in the prevention of mortality.