Age, functional status, and racial differences in plasma D-dimer levels in community-dwelling elderly persons

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Hematology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Immunologic and coagulation system dysregulation is common in the elderly, increasing morbidity and mortality from thrombotic events.
• D-dimer, a marker of fibrinolytic activity, is crucial for understanding coagulation in aging populations.
• This study investigates factors influencing D-dimer levels in community-dwelling elderly individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess D-dimer level variations by demographic, health, and functional measures in elderly persons.
• To develop a prediction model for factors associated with D-dimer levels.
• To explore the relationship between D-dimer and age, race, health status, and functional capacity.

Main Methods:

• A random sample of 1,727 community-dwelling elderly individuals (≥72 years) from North Carolina participated.
• D-dimer levels were measured in 1992, with yearly health and functional data collected from 1986-1992.
• Cross-sectional analysis related D-dimer to demographics, function, self-rated health, diseases, and weight change.

Main Results:

• D-dimer levels increased with age and functional disability.
• Black individuals had significantly higher D-dimer levels compared to whites, even after controlling for covariates.
• High blood pressure, current smoking, and weight loss were also associated with elevated D-dimer levels.

Conclusions:

• Older age, functional impairment, and Black race are independently associated with higher D-dimer levels in the elderly.
• The pronounced racial difference in D-dimer suggests a potential biological or systemic factor contributing to thrombotic risk.
• These findings may elucidate the higher incidence of thrombotic events observed in Black, elderly, and functionally impaired populations.