title: Laboratory results in the elderly: the Sydney Older Persons Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of laboratory intervals based on younger and healthier populations is of questionable validity in older populations. The aim of this study was to examine haematological and biochemical profiles in a sample of community-dwelling older people and to study the impact of age, disease, disability and medications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Basic haematological and biochemical values were obtained for 338 survivors of a random sample of community-living people aged 75 years or over at time of recruitment. These values were compared to the laboratory reference intervals and the effects of age, disease, medication and disability examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The distribution of the 35 parameters measured differed from those described by the laboratory reference intervals in all but four of the variables. The values showed few significant age associations but did show associations with disease, disability and drug use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abnormalities identified in haematological and biochemical testing are not due to age but to age-related illnesses. This is contrary to previous studies reporting a change in haematological and biochemical parameters purely on the basis of age. In the presence of abnormalities, identification and clarification of disease states should be made.
authors.affiliation: Central Sydney Laboratory Service, Concord Hospital, Concord, NSW 2139, Australia.
authors.forename: Margaret R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Janu
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Creasey
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Grayson
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Cullen
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Whyte
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: Louise M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Waite
authors.forename: G Anthony
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Broe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data