Relationship between hematological, endocrine and immunological markers and sarcopenia in the elderly

Objective: To relate hematological, endocrine and immunological markers to the criteria for classifying sarcopenia in older people residents in the community. Method: Cross-sectional study, linked to the institutional research “Integrated Health Care for Older People”. The study population consisted of males and females aged 60 years or more and assisted in primary health care. The research protocol included an interview and physical examination to evaluate the sarcopenia criteria. Analysis of the following were done: complete blood count, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1, interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein. Statistical analysis included the Mann-Whitney test, Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and Odds Ratio. Results: There was a relationship between interleukin-6 (p= 0,004), erythrocytes (p= 0,038), hemoglobin (p<0,001) and hematocrit (p= 0,002) with sarcopenia. It was also observed that the older people with altered muscular strength had lower values of hematocrit (p= 0,037) and higher of interleukin-6 (p= 0,002); and with altered physical performance had lower values of leukocytes (p= 0,024), hemoglobin (p<0,001), hematocrit (p= 0,007) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (p= 0,034) and higher levels of parathyroid hormone (p= 0,018) and interleukin-6 (p= 0,002). Conclusion: It is suggested to evaluate and monitor the levels of interleukin-6, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and the red blood count series during care practice.