title: Laboratory aspects relating to the detection and prevention of frailty.
abstract: Frailty, as a geriatric syndrome, is characterised by the increased vulnerability of the elderly person to internal and especially external stressors. The aim of laboratory diagnostics in the context of the concept of frailty is to record the conditions which encourage the development of frailty, in order to improve these conditions through individual measures or to avoid them for the purpose of preventing frailty. After a presentation of the features of laboratory diagnostics in old age, this article examines haematological aspects, the importance of an adequate vitamin supply, particularly of vitamin D and the adequate description of endocrine functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine 2, Nuremberg Clinic, Chair of Internal Medicine V, Geriatrics and Institute for Biomedicine of Ageing, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen- Nuremberg, Nuremberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans-Jürgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Heppner
authors.forename: Jürgen M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Cornel C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Sieber
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bertsch