Increased level of high-sensitivity cardiac Troponin T in a geriatric population is determined by comorbidities
Seyed Mahdi Sedighi1,2, Patrick Prud'Homme3, Ahmed Ghachem1
1Program of Gerontology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Canada.
Insights
Elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) in older adults is linked to existing comorbidities, not just aging. Always investigate the cause of increased hs-cTnT in the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Geriatrics
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) in the elderly is often viewed as age-related.
- This interpretation challenges clinical assessment in geriatric patients without acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of aging on hs-cTnT levels in elderly individuals.
- To determine the association between comorbidities and hs-cTnT in patients without acute cardiac events.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 6977 medical records of patients aged 65 years and older.
- Stratification based on age, hs-cTnT levels, and the number of comorbidities.
- Data collected included sociodemographic and clinical information.
Main Results:
- Increased hs-cTnT likelihood correlated with the presence of comorbidities, irrespective of their quantity.
- Advanced age and comorbidities were statistically significant predictors of elevated hs-cTnT.
- The adjusted odds ratio for comorbidities was clinically more relevant than for advanced age.
Conclusions:
- Pre-existing comorbidities, rather than age alone, are associated with elevated hs-cTnT in the elderly.
- Increased hs-cTnT levels in older adults should be considered pathological.
- Further investigation is warranted to identify the specific etiology of elevated hs-cTnT in this population.
Abstract:
High level of cardiac Troponin T (hs-cTnT) in geriatric population has been considered as an age-related phenomenon, which may question the interpretation of the increase of hs-cTnT in this population. The challenge is what is the primary cause of the increased hs-cTnT levels in elderly patients without AMI.
Objective:
The aim of the current study was to determine the impact of aging on hs-cTnT levels in elderly patients without acute cardiac events but in the presence of comorbidities.
Methods:
Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from 6977 medical records of patients aged ≥65 years without acute coronary events but for whom hs-cTnT measurements were available. The patients were stratified based on age, troponin levels and the number of comorbidities.
Results:
The results suggested that the likelihood of increased hs-cTnT was related to the presence of comorbidities independently of their number (p < 0.05). The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for both advanced age and having comorbidity was statistically significant, however for the old group (74 ≥ age ≥ 84 years) the chance of having elevated troponin regarding age compared to the presence of comorbidity was 1.070 vs. 1.216, whereas for the old-old group (≥85 years) it was found to be 1.071 vs. 1.311. Besides statistical significance for age, from a clinical standpoint, the AOR of 1.070 may not be considered clinically relevant.
Conclusion:
Increased hs-cTnT levels were associated with the presence of pre-existing comorbidities independently of age. Increased hs-cTnT levels in the elderly should always be considered as pathological, and a specific etiology should be searched.
More Related Videos
07:40Impact of High-intensity Interval Exercise and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise on the Cardiac Troponin T Level at an Early Stage of Training
Published on: October 10, 2019
10:12A Sensitive and Specific Quantitation Method for Determination of Serum Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein-C by Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay
Published on: August 8, 2013
Related Concept Videos
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
01:00Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
01:18Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism
01:18Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion
01:22Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption
01:09Levels of Organization
Molecules Are Composed of Atoms, and Biomolecules Are Assembled from Molecules:
The most basic levels include atoms, molecules, and biomolecules. Atoms, the smallest unit of ordinary matter, are composed of a nucleus and electrons. Molecules...