Objectives: Albumin and hemoglobin are viewed as markers of nutritional and inflammatory status. This study examined the associations of serum albumin and hemoglobin with physical function in community-living older adults.
Design: Population-based cross-sectional and longitudinal study.
Setting: The Singapore Longitudinal Aging Studies (SLAS), a community-based study in urban Singapore.
Participants: 2762 older adults aged 55 and above assessed at baseline, and 1829 at follow up 1-2 years later.
Measurements: Serum albumin and hemoglobin, Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), knee extension strength at baseline, and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) at baseline and follow up.
Results: In cross-sectional multivariate analyses that adjusted for haemoglobin and other confounders, albumin showed a significant linear association (p<0.001) with POMA balance score (b=0.06, SE=0.02) and knee extension strength (b=0.70, SE=0.10). Independently of albumin, hemoglobin also showed a significant linear association with POMA balance score (b=0.09, SE=0.04). In longitudinal analyses, albumin was significantly associated with IADL decline (IADL total score drop>=1 during follow-up), OR= 0.92 (0.87 - 0.97), p=<0.01.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that low levels of albumin and hemoglobin are potentially useful risk markers of physical functional decline in older adults. Further research should investigate whether improvements in the levels of albumin and hemoglobin alter the level of functional disability and risk of functional decline.