Inflammatory Markers and Physical Performance in Older Persons

INTRODUCTION: AGING is associated with deterioration in physical function and performance that adversely affects one’s life quality and independence. The assessment of physical function of aged persons is essential and some performance measures have been useful in the anticipation of disability, morbidity, hospitalization and mortality. Recently, chronic inflammation has been proposed as a biological mechanism to underlie this deterioration in physical function. Inflammation is body’s self developed immunity against disruption of equilibrium, especially wounds and infections. This reaction is characterized by the cytokines releasing at the local site, responsible for the regulation and augmentation of inflammation. Cytokines are involved in various physiological processes like hematopoiesis, immunoregulation, muscle and bone turnover, and their blood levels have been attributed to many diseases, especially auto immune diseases and cardiac diseases. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between inflammatory markers CRP & IL6 and physical performance in older population. METHODOLOGY: Study Centre: Geriatric Medicine OPD, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai. Study Duration: 6 months. Study Design: Cross sectional and observational study. Sample size: 75 patients. Inclusion criteria: Older persons above 60 years, willing for study. Exclusion criteria: Older persons not willing for study Older persons unable to do physical performance tests Older persons with cognitive impairment Procedure: Patients were selected as per above said inclusion & exclusion criteria. Detailed History with comorbidities were obtained, Clinical examination, Mental status examination, physical performance tests of walking speed, 30 sec chair stand test, 4 stage balance test and handgrip strength were done. Blood samples for CRP & IL6 were collected. RESULTS: CRP was significantly correlated with 4 stage balance test (r=-0.545), 30 sec chair stand test (r=-0.4), gait speed (r=-0.507) and handgrip strength (r=-0.458). IL6 was significantly correlated with 4 stage balance test (r=-0.548), 30 sec chair stand test (r=-0.408), gait speed(r=-0.450) and handgrip strength (r=-0.438). High levels of CRP & IL6 were independently and strongly associated with poor performance of 4 stage balance test, 30 sec chair stand test, gait speed and handgrip strength(p value