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White blood cell counts in a geriatric hospitalized population: A poor diagnostic marker of infection

Nathalie Compté1, Laura Dumont2, Dominique Bron3

  • 1UZ Brussel, Vrij Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium.

Experimental Gerontology
|November 10, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

In older adults, white blood cell count (WBCC) does not reliably indicate infection. However, WBCC combined with C-reactive protein (CRP) may signal cardiovascular issues in geriatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • Clinical Pathology

Background:

  • Older adults experience more frequent and severe infections.
  • White blood cell count (WBCC) is often correlated with infection, but its utility in geriatric patients is debated.
  • Acute inflammation is indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP) levels above 10 mg/l.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between total and differential WBCC and documented infections in hospitalized geriatric individuals.
  • To determine if WBCC is a reliable biomarker for infection in the elderly.
  • To explore potential associations between WBCC and cardiovascular risk factors in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 166 hospitalized geriatric patients (aged 67-106 years).
  • Patients presented with acute inflammation (CRP > 10 mg/l).
  • Comparison of WBCC and CRP levels between infected and non-infected groups, with regression analyses.

Main Results:

  • Mean WBCC did not significantly differ between infected and non-infected geriatric patients (p=0.71).
  • Mean CRP levels were significantly higher in the infected group (p=0.0019).
  • Regression analyses showed no association between infection and increased WBCC; however, a positive correlation was found between cardiovascular risk factors/diseases and WBCC.

Conclusions:

  • White blood cell count (WBCC) is not a reliable biomarker for detecting infections in geriatric patients.
  • Combined WBCC and CRP levels may serve as indicators for cardiovascular disorders in the elderly.
  • Further research may clarify the role of WBCC in geriatric health beyond infection assessment.
Keywords:
AgingC-reactive proteinGeriatric patientInfectionLeucocytes

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