Lymphocyte immunophenotyping in an elderly population: age, sex and medication effects--a flow cytometry study.

Flow cytometry studies of 179 individuals aged 55-95 years reveal correlations of various hematological and immune cell measures (quantification of leukocytes, leukocyte subtypes, platelets, and erythrocytes) with age, sex, common medications (aspirin, ulcer therapy, estrogen replacement therapy), and health history variables (minor arthritis, allergy, smoking, stress and exercise). Possible reasons for some of these findings are discussed.