Serum albumin in older persons: relationship with age and health status.
We analyzed data from 4115 persons aged 71 years and older who had blood drawn at a home visit in three communities to examine the cross-sectional distribution of serum albumin and correlates of hypoalbuminemia. Mean albumin was lower among older persons, from 41.6 g/l in men aged 71-74 years to 38.5 g/l in men 90 years or older, and from 41.1 g/l to 38.9 g/l in women of the same ages, respectively. Hypoalbuminemia (albumin less than 35 g/l) was observed in 3.1% of subjects. Hypoalbuminemia and lower serum albumin were independently associated with anemia, recent diagnosis of cancer, two or more limitations in activities of daily living, residence in a nursing home, heavy cigarette smoking (greater than 1 pack/day), and older age. A 10-year age increment was associated with 0.8 g/l lower serum albumin and odds ratio of 1.56 (95% CI 1.14, 2.13) for hypoalbuminemia after adjusting for demographic factors and health status. Characteristics associated with serum albumin may confound the reported relationship between serum albumin and mortality.
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Epidemiology, Demography and Biometry Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Cornoni-Huntley
J
J
Phillips
C L
CL
Guralnik
J M
JM
Cohen
H J
HJ
Ostfeld
A M
AM
Wallace
R B
RB
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000172:deficiency; D012907:Smoking
D012709:Serum Albumin