Platelet status, stress and social support in the elderly

Using data from a study of social support, stressful life events, and nutritional status among the elderly (n = 424), models based on earlier work by Kaplan were tested in order to determine the effects of adverse life events, lack of social support, and dysphoria on the platelet status of elderly women and men. Platelet status is a risk factor in coronary heart disease and has been shown in laboratory studies to be negatively affected by experimentally induced stressful circumstances. The present study takes into account naturally occurring life events as well as social support. It also takes into account additional factors known to affect platelet status such as age, health status, medication, and social class background. The findings suggest that the platelet status of elderly men and women is affected by differing adverse life experiences and differing kinds of social support and social support network characteristics.