Abstract
The present study aims at evaluating serum albumin concentration (Alb) as an indicator for ageing. Relationship of Alb to both ageing and survivorship were longitudinally observed among community volunteers. The survey was carried out in 1976 and 1981. The subjects were 422 community volunteers aged 69-71 at the first survey. The serum was obtained in 242 of 422 in 1981 (group A). Fourty-seven of 422 died before the second survey (group B). In 133 of 422 the serum was not obtained, but all of them were known to be alive in 1981 (group C).
1) At the first survey, Alb was significantly lower in the deceased group (group B) than in the survived groups (group A and C). Alb in the deceased group was lower by 0.25g/dl in men and 0.12g/dl in women.
The 422 subjects were divided into the quartiles according to Alb level at the first survey, and its relation to the relative mortality was examined. Relative mortality ratio was 201% in the first interquartile range (Alb≤4.1g/dl in men, Alb≤4.2g/dl in women). Relative mortality tended to be lower at higher Alb.
2) Alb significantly decreased during the 5 years; 4.41 to 4.14g/dl in men, 4.47 to 4.22g/dl in women (group A).
It can be concluded that serum albumin concentration is an appropriate indicator for ageing.
This study was carried out as a part of the Koganei Study, in Tokyo.
