Relation of inflammatory marker trajectories with frailty and aging in a 20-year longitudinal study

Abstract

Little is known about the development of low-grade inflammation with age and its relationship with the onset of frailty. In this exploratory study, we investigated 18 inflammatory markers measured in blood of 144 individuals aged 65-75 years at study endpoint, collected over 20 years at five-year intervals. IFN{gamma}-induced markers and platelet activation markers changed in synchrony over time. Chronically elevated levels of IL-6-related markers, such as CRP and sIL-6R, were associated with frailty and becoming frail over time, poorer lung function, or less physical strength. Overweight was a possible driver of these associations. More and stronger associations were detected in women, such as between increasing sCD14 levels and frailty, indicating possible monocyte overactivation. Multivariate prediction of frailty showed low accuracy but confirmed the main results. In summary, we documented 20-year temporal changes of inflammatory markers in an aging population, and related these to clinically relevant health outcomes.