Effect of Alzheimer Caregiving Stress and Age on Frailty Markers Interleukin-6, C-Reactive Protein, and D-Dimer

• Published in: The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences Biological sciences and medical sciences, 2006-09, Vol.61 (9), p.963-969
• Main Authors: von Känel, Roland, Dimsdale, Joel E., Mills, Paul J., Ancoli-Israel, Sonia, Patterson, Thomas L., Mausbach, Brent T., Grant, Igor
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Age Factors; Aged; Alzheimer Disease - psychology; Alzheimer's disease; Biomarkers - blood; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; Cardiovascular disease; Caregivers; Caregivers - psychology; Case-Control Studies; Community support; Female; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products - analysis; Humans; Interleukin-6 - blood; Male; Multivariate Analysis; Proteins; Role; Stress, Psychological - blood; Support groups; Womens health
• ISSN: 1079-5006; 1758-535X
• DOI: 10.1093/gerona/61.9.963

Background. Elevated plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer belong to the biological alterations of the “frailty syndrome,” defining increased vulnerability for diseases and mortality with aging. We hypothesized that, compatible with premature frailty, chronic stress and age are related in predicting inflammation and coagulation activity in Alzheimer caregivers. Methods. Plasma IL-6, CRP, and D-dimer levels were measured in 170 individuals (mean age 73 ± 9 years; 116 caregivers, 54 noncaregiving controls). Demographic factors, diseases, drugs, and lifestyle variables potentially affecting inflammation and coagulation were obtained by history and adjusted for as covariates in statistical analyses. Results. Caregivers had higher mean levels of IL-6 (1.38 ± 1.42 vs 1.00 ± 0.92 pg/mL, p =.032) and of D-dimer (723 ± 530 vs 471 ± 211 ng/mL, p