Association Between Blood Parameters of Nutritional Status and Functional Status in Extreme Longevity

Background: The relationship between functional and nutritional status in the geriatric population remains an issue of debate and there is a gap in the knowledge regarding this field in long-lived individuals.

Aim: The main aim of this study was to assess the association between selected blood parameters of nutritional status and functional status in extreme longevity.

Methods: The inclusion criteria were centenarians above 100 years of age who were examined at their homes, and blood samples were collected. The study group consisted of 170 individuals (25 men and 145 women, median age 100.75 years [100.29-101.58]).

Results: Total protein and albumin serum concentration was significantly lower in long-lived individuals with severe functional decline compared to individuals with preserved functional status, = 0.000001 and = 0.0000, respectively. Iron serum level was significantly higher in the group with preserved functional status, = 0.04. Preserved functional status was positively correlated with total protein serum concentration ( = 0.000), albumin concentration ( = 0.000), and iron serum level ( = 0.029). A negative correlation was stated between c-reactive protein (CRP) and functional status ( = 0.032). Univariable logistic regression analysis showed that the functional status of long-lived individuals depends on total protein (OR 2.89, CI 95% [1.67-5.0]) and albumin concentrations (OR 2.34, CI 95% [1.39-3.92]). Multivariable backward stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that a total protein concentration was the only variable independently related to the preserved functional status (OR 3.2, 95% Cl [1.8-5.67]).

Conclusions: In long-lived individuals, the total serum protein and albumin levels are lower in centenarians with severe functional decline, and they correlate with functional status. Total protein serum concentration is the only factor independently related to the preserved functional status in extreme longevity.