Monica C Tembo1, Kara L Holloway-Kew2, Chiara C Bortolasci2, Sharon L Brennan-Olsen3,4,5,6, Lana J Williams2, Mark A Kotowicz2,5,7, Julie A Pasco2,5,7,8. 1. IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, (Barwon Health), PO Box 281, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia. mctembo@deakin.edu.au. 2. IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, (Barwon Health), PO Box 281, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia. 3. School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia. 4. Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Waterfront Geelong Campus, Geelong, VIC, Australia. 5. Department of Medicine-Western Health, The University of Melbourne, St Albans, VIC, Australia. 6. Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), The University of Melbourne, St Albans, VIC, Australia. 7. Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia. 8. Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Prahran, VIC, Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the association between serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and frailty. METHODS: Participants were 581 men aged 60-90 yr (median (IQR): 74 yr (67-83 yr)) from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study. Tallies of ≥ 3, 1-2 and 0 for weight loss/exhaustion/physical-inactivity/slowness/weakness indicated frailty, pre-frailty and robustness, respectively. Anthropometry, lower-limb muscle strength and physical performance were measured and health behaviours self-reported. Serum IL-6 was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and log-transformed (ln-IL-6). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was also measured using quantitative colorimetric determination. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression models tested associations between ln-IL-6 and frailty while considering age, anthropometry, comorbidities, TAC, medications that affect inflammatory processes, lifestyle and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: There were 49(8.4%) frail and 315(54.2%) pre-fail men. A relationship was evident between ln-IL-6 and frailty before and after accounting for age (adjusted OR = 1.24, 95%CI 1.01-1.53). Adjusting for medications attenuated the association (OR = 1.20, 95%CI 0.98-1.48). No other confounders were identified. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that IL-6 is positively associated with frailty in men, partly explained by advancing age and medications known to affect inflammation.
PURPOSE: To investigate the association between serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and frailty. METHODS: Participants were 581 men aged 60-90 yr (median (IQR): 74 yr (67-83 yr)) from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study. Tallies of ≥ 3, 1-2 and 0 for weight loss/exhaustion/physical-inactivity/slowness/weakness indicated frailty, pre-frailty and robustness, respectively. Anthropometry, lower-limb muscle strength and physical performance were measured and health behaviours self-reported. Serum IL-6 was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and log-transformed (ln-IL-6). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was also measured using quantitative colorimetric determination. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression models tested associations between ln-IL-6 and frailty while considering age, anthropometry, comorbidities, TAC, medications that affect inflammatory processes, lifestyle and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: There were 49(8.4%) frail and 315(54.2%) pre-fail men. A relationship was evident between ln-IL-6 and frailty before and after accounting for age (adjusted OR = 1.24, 95%CI 1.01-1.53). Adjusting for medications attenuated the association (OR = 1.20, 95%CI 0.98-1.48). No other confounders were identified. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that IL-6 is positively associated with frailty in men, partly explained by advancing age and medications known to affect inflammation.