Serum insulin-like growth factor levels do not predict functional recovery after hospitalization in nonagenarian patients.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) serum levels in nonagenarian patients and to investigate the predictive capacity of this measure to assess the functional recovery of this population following hospitalization.


METHODS
We performed a prospective study in 60 consecutive nonagenarian patients admitted for medical or surgical diseases. We assessed IGF-1 serum levels and nutritional status. The functional status was assessed using the Barthel index. Thirty-four patients were reinvestigated 3 months after discharge from hospital.


RESULTS
The mean levels of IGF-1 were lower in nonagenarians than in younger patients. No relationship was found between IGF-1 levels and nutritional status. The decline in Barthel index values 3 months after discharge from hospital did not correlate with serum levels of IGF-1 on admission.


CONCLUSIONS
IGF-1 serum levels in nonagenarian patients do not predict functional recovery after hospitalization.
Formiga
F
F
Geriatric Unit, Internal Medicine Service, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. fformiga@csub.scs.es
Acebes
G
G
Alia
P
P
Blancas
D
D
Pujol
R
R
Navarro
M A
MA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors
D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C065700:myotrophin