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Age differences in biochemical and hematological measures during middle age
C J Bulpitt1, M J Shipley, P M Broughton
1Division of Geriatric Medicine, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Aging (Milan, Italy)
|October 1, 1994
Summary
Aging affects various blood markers differently in men and women. Key blood indicators like erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), urea, and cholesterol show distinct age-related changes, particularly notable in women undergoing menopause.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
Background:
- Aging is associated with physiological changes affecting biochemical and hematological parameters.
- Understanding these age-related shifts is crucial for monitoring health and disease in aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between age and various biochemical and hematological measures in a large cohort of male and female civil servants.
- To identify sex-specific differences in age-related changes of these biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 3402 men and 2152 women aged 35-59.
- Measurement of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hemoglobin, serum albumin, calcium, bilirubin, creatinine, urea, urate, HDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol.
Main Results:
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum urea, total cholesterol, and serum creatinine showed increases with age in both sexes, with some sex-specific differences.
- Serum bilirubin decreased with age in both men and women.
- Serum albumin and calcium decreased with age in men, while urate, HDL cholesterol, and hemoglobin increased with age in women.
Conclusions:
- Aging is associated with significant, sex-specific alterations in key blood biomarkers.
- Hormonal changes, such as those during menopause, may contribute to observed sex differences in age-related biomarker trends.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering sex and age in the interpretation of biochemical and hematological data.
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