title: Hyposomatomedinemia in the men of a Veterans Administration Nursing Home: prevalence and correlates.
abstract: A previous study found hyposomatomedinemia to be common in the men of this VA Nursing Home. To gain information on the prevalence and correlates of this endocrine characteristic, we have measured plasma somatomedin C (SmC) in 69 Nursing Home men 55-95 years old (group I), and in 37 independent men 56-87 years old attending our geriatric medicine outpatient clinic (group II). In groups I and II, a clinical data base was compiled comprising: blood chemistries, measures of body composition - nutritional state and functional level, diagnoses, medications, and morbidity and mortality during the year after the SmC analysis. The mean +/- SD for SmC was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower in group I (0.35 +/- 0.21 units/ml) than in group II (0.45 +/- 0.13 units/ml). SmC less than 0.25 units/ml, a range consistent with severe growth hormone deficiency, was found almost exclusively in group I (31.8% of men in group I, 3.7% of men in group II). In either group I, or in groups I and II combined, SmC was significantly (p less than 0.05) correlated with body weight as percentage of ideal, midarm muscle circumference (MAMC) as percent of standard, diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease, and plasma testosterone level. Men with SmC values below 0.25 units/ml had significantly (p less than 0.05) lower values for body weight as percentage of ideal, and for MAMC as percentage of standard. Except for cerebrovascular disease, SmC did not correlate significantly (p greater than 0.05) with diagnosis, drugs, morbidity or mortality.
authors.affiliation: Medical Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center North Chicago, Ill.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rudman
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Nagraj
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Mattson
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: I W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Rudman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boswell
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Pucci
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000097:blood*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs
chemical_list: D013002:Somatomedins; D013739:Testosterone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I