Kyoung Min Kim1,2, Li-Yung Lui1,2, Warren S Browner2,3, Jane A Cauley4, Kristine E Ensrud5,6, Deborah M Kado7,8, Eric S Orwoll9, John T Schousboe10,11, Steven R Cummings1,3. 1. San Francisco Coordinating Center, California. 2. California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco. 3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco. 4. Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 5. Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. 6. Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. 7. Departments of Family Medicine & Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego. 8. Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego. 9. Oregon Health & Science University, Portland. 10. Park Nicollet Clinic and HealthPartners Institute, Bloomington, Minnesota. 11. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We tested whether greater variation in red blood cell size, measured by red cell distribution width (RDW), may predict aging-related degenerative conditions and therefore, serve as a marker of biological aging. METHODS: Three thousand six hundred and thirty-five community-dwelling older men were enrolled in the prospective Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study. RDW was categorized into 4 groups (≤13.0%, 13.1%-14.0%, 14.1%-15.0%, and ≥15.1%). Functional limitations, frailty, strength, physical performance, and cognitive function were measured at baseline and 7.4 years later. Falls were recorded in the year after baseline; hospitalizations were obtained for 2 years after baseline. Mortality was assessed during a mean of 8.3 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Participants with greater variability in red cell size were weaker, walked more slowly, and had a worse cognitive function. They were more likely to have functional limitations (35.2% in the highest RDW category vs 16.0% in the lowest, p < .001) and frailty (30.3% vs 11.3%, p < .001). Those with greater variability in red cell size were more likely to develop new functional limitations and to become frail. The risk of having 2 or more falls was also greater (highest 19.2% vs lowest 10.3%, p < .001). The risk of hospitalization was higher in those with the highest variability (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.8 [1.3-2.5]) compared with the lowest. Variability in red cell size was related to total and cause-specific mortality. CONCLUSION: Greater variability in red cell size is associated with diverse aging-related outcomes, suggesting that it may have potential value as a marker for biological aging.
BACKGROUND: We tested whether greater variation in red blood cell size, measured by red cell distribution width (RDW), may predict aging-related degenerative conditions and therefore, serve as a marker of biological aging. METHODS: Three thousand six hundred and thirty-five community-dwelling older men were enrolled in the prospective Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study. RDW was categorized into 4 groups (≤13.0%, 13.1%-14.0%, 14.1%-15.0%, and ≥15.1%). Functional limitations, frailty, strength, physical performance, and cognitive function were measured at baseline and 7.4 years later. Falls were recorded in the year after baseline; hospitalizations were obtained for 2 years after baseline. Mortality was assessed during a mean of 8.3 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Participants with greater variability in red cell size were weaker, walked more slowly, and had a worse cognitive function. They were more likely to have functional limitations (35.2% in the highest RDW category vs 16.0% in the lowest, p < .001) and frailty (30.3% vs 11.3%, p < .001). Those with greater variability in red cell size were more likely to develop new functional limitations and to become frail. The risk of having 2 or more falls was also greater (highest 19.2% vs lowest 10.3%, p < .001). The risk of hospitalization was higher in those with the highest variability (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.8 [1.3-2.5]) compared with the lowest. Variability in red cell size was related to total and cause-specific mortality. CONCLUSION: Greater variability in red cell size is associated with diverse aging-related outcomes, suggesting that it may have potential value as a marker for biological aging.
Authors: Eric Orwoll; Janet Babich Blank; Elizabeth Barrett-Connor; Jane Cauley; Steven Cummings; Kristine Ensrud; Cora Lewis; Peggy M Cawthon; Robert Marcus; Lynn M Marshall; Joan McGowan; Kathy Phipps; Sherry Sherman; Marcia L Stefanick; Katie Stone Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Date: 2005-10 Impact factor: 2.226
Authors: Luke C Pilling; Janice L Atkins; Michael O Duff; Robin N Beaumont; Samuel E Jones; Jessica Tyrrell; Chia-Ling Kuo; Katherine S Ruth; Marcus A Tuke; Hanieh Yaghootkar; Andrew R Wood; Anna Murray; Michael N Weedon; Lorna W Harries; George A Kuchel; Luigi Ferrucci; Timothy M Frayling; David Melzer Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-09-28 Impact factor: 3.240