Three-dimensional trace element profile reflecting aging, disease, and frailty

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Clinical Chemistry

Background:

• Older adults with chronic diseases face increased risks of malnutrition and frailty, affecting recovery and outcomes.
• Trace element profiles in this population are understudied, despite likely alterations due to inflammation and poor nutrition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate trace element profiles in relation to age, disease, and frailty in geriatric patients.
• To compare these profiles with those of healthy young and old controls.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 198 geriatric patients and 140 healthy controls (60 young, 80 old).
• Quantification of serum iron, zinc, selenium, iodine, copper, and manganese using ICP-MS/MS.
• Analysis of inflammatory and functional biomarkers.

Main Results:

• Geriatric patients exhibited distinct trace element profiles: lower manganese, iron, zinc, selenium; higher copper, iodine compared to controls (p ≤ 0.001).
• Principal Component Analysis identified two key profiles: PC1 linked to disease/inflammation, PC2 to inadequate trace element supply.
• PC2 was associated with anorexia and drug intake affecting trace element absorption.

Conclusions:

• Inflammation and inadequate trace element intake significantly influence trace element profiles in frail older adults with chronic disease.
• These factors, rather than chronological age, appear to be the primary drivers of altered trace element status and frailty.
• Findings highlight the importance of assessing trace element status in geriatric patients with chronic conditions.