Interleukin-6 plasma levels and socioeconomic status in Brazilian elderly community-dwelling women.
Aging is related to a chronic increase in inflammatory cytokines. Adverse socioeconomic conditions are associated with increased plasma levels of these molecules, especially interleukin (IL)-6. Considering the differential profile of elderly Brazilians regarding their socioeconomic and cultural aspects, the objectives of this study were: to assess the correlation and differences between levels of IL-6 and socioeconomic status (education and income) in elderly women. IL-6 levels were measured using ELISA. The Spearman test was used to determine the correlation between IL-6 and socioeconomic status, and the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests for cytokine level differences across education and income. IL-6 showed a significant inverse correlation with education (r = -0.205, p = 0.014) and income (r = -0.185, p = 0.028). Differences in IL-6 levels were registered across the education variables. The results corroborate evidence that low socioeconomic status is related to higher IL-6 plasma levels in elderly women.
Departamento de Fisioterapia da Escola de Educação Física, Fisioterapia e Terapia Ocupacional da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, UFMG, Av Antônio Carlos, 6627 Campus Pampulha, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Nayza Maciel
NM
de Britto Rosa
Bárbara Zille
BZ
de Queiroz
Daniele Sirineu
DS
Pereira
Mary Luci Avelar
ML
di Sabatino Santos
Daniela Matos Garcia
DM
Oliveira
Fabrícia Mendes E Silva
FM
Narciso
Leani Souza Máximo
LS
Pereira
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012923:Social Class
D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6