Browsing by Subject "Helsinki Businessmen Study"

Background: Cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors and several biomarkers have been linked to phenotypic frailty but the data is inconsistent, especially in oldest-old men. Purpose: To examine the association of frailty phenotype and different clinical and laboratory parameters in a cohort of older men. Methods: The Helsinki Businessmen Study (HBS) -cohort consists of men with high socioeconomic status (born 1919-1934, original n=3490). Their health status and CVD risk factors have been followed up since the 1960s and the clinical-epidemiological, longitudinal study is still ongoing. In 2017/2018 a random subcohort of community-dwelling survivors (n=232) was assessed. A postal questionnaire was sent to the men and they were invited to a study visit including clinical and laboratory examinations. Phenotypic frailty was identified according to the Fried physical phenotype criteria (nonfrail, prefrail or frail). SPSS software was used for statistical analyses. Results: Phenotypic frailty could be assessed in surviving 130 participants. Of them, 31%, 54% and 15% were nonfrail, prefrail, frail, respectively. Median ages were 86, 87 and 87.5 years. Frailty was associated with lower levels of systolic blood pressure, peak expiratory flow (PEF), total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and an increase in β2 microglobulin levels. Compared to nonfrail men, β2 microglobulin was 0.5 mg/L higher in the prefrail and frail subgroups (median [IQ range] 2.50 [0.8], 3.10 [1.5], 3.0 [2.6] mg/L, p=0.024). PEF, in turn, decreased with increasing frailty status (440 [80], 410 [160], 350 [160] L/min, p=0,013). Conclusions: β2 microglobulin can be considered an interesting candidate for a biomarker of frailty. As a simple clinical measurement, PEF may be a quick and inexpensive way to assess physical frailty in older adults. Further study on these matters is encouraged.