title: Differences according to gender and health status in CD4:CD8 ratio in a sample of community-dwelling oldest old. The OCTABAIX immune study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The presence of an immune-risk phenotype (IRP) has been correlated with survival rates in elderly people. The aim of this study is to characterize the inverted CD4:CD8 ratio as a possible marker of IRP in a sample of oldest old (85 years) by assessing differences in gender and health status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comorbidity, functional status (Barthel Index), and cognitive status with the Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination were evaluated. Non-disabled subjects were defined as those with better health status, with scores of >90 on the Barthel Index and >23 points on the Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. CD4:CD8 ratios were recorded, and a ratio of 1.00 or less was used to define IRF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred and twelve subjects aged 85 years old were studied, 190 women (60.9%) and 122 men. The CD4:CD8 ratio was 1.00 or less in 47 subjects (15.6%) and higher than 2.2 in 115 (36.8%). There were no differences in CD4:CD8 ratio according to health status. The inverted CD4:CD8 ratio was more frequent in men (55.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this community-dwelling, single year birth cohort study, the subgroup with poor health status did not have a lower CD4:CD8 ratio. The inverted CD4:CD8 ratio was more frequent in men.
authors: Geriatric Unit, Internal Medicine Service, IDIBELL, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. fformiga@bellvitgehospital.cat
authors: Francesc
authors: F
authors: Formiga
authors: Assumpta
authors: A
authors: Ferrer
authors: Gloria
authors: G
authors: Padros
authors: Alfons
authors: A
authors: Lopez Soto
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Sarro
authors: Ramon
authors: R
authors: Pujol
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D016852:Housing for the Elderly; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010641:Phenotype; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain