Reference Values of Regional Oxygen Saturation in Young and Elderly Healthy Volunteers

• Published in: Applied sciences 2024-02, Vol.14 (3)
• Main Authors: Lubkowska, Anna, Radecka, Aleksandra, Pluta, Waldemar, Wieleba, Krzysztof
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Heme; Hemoglobin; Infrared spectroscopy; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Myoglobin
• ISSN: 2076-3417; 2076-3417
• DOI: 10.3390/app14031307

Regional oxygen saturation (rSO[sub.2]) assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) reflects the perfusion and metabolism of the assessed tissue. The study aimed to determine the reference values of rSO[sub.2] for selected body areas, considering gender, age and body composition. We studied 70 healthy volunteers divided into two age groups (18–30 and >60 years). The rSO[sub.2] was measured using NIRS in eighteen selected regions of interest (ROIs). Body composition analysis was carried out using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Significant differences in rSO[sub.2] values were found between almost all analyzed ROIs (p < 0.05) with a simultaneous lack of asymmetry between contralateral side of the body. The average rSO[sub.2] values from the ROIs analyzed ranged from 40.34 ± 17.65% (Achilles tendon) to 69.94 ± 6.93% (tibialis anterior muscle). Age and the values of adiposity indices and the fat mass content are factors that may significantly reduce the rSO[sub.2] value. In most ROIs, higher rSO[sub.2] values were recorded for the younger group (p < 0.0001). The rSO[sub.2] values at rest are area-specific in young and elderly healthy subjects. The changes in rSO[sub.2], both in clinical assessment and research, should be interpreted taking into account the body area being assessed and individual factors such as age and body fat content.