High levels of an endothelial dysfunction marker (sVCAM-1) are associated with injurious and recurrent falls and mortality over a 5-year interval in an older population

Exp Gerontol. 2018 Jun:106:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2018.02.020. Epub 2018 Feb 24.

Abstract

We investigated the association between elevated plasma concentrations of circulating soluble Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and injurious falls and mortality over a 5-year period. We studied the prospective relationship between levels of circulating adhesion molecules and falls in 680 community-dwelling participants in the MOBILIZE Boston Study. The mean sVCAM-1 (±SD) concentration was 1192 ± 428 ng/mL. Over 5-years of follow-up, 10.2% of participants died. The baseline sVCAM-1 (±SD) concentration was 1434 ± 511 ng/mL in those who died vs. 1162 ± 402 ng/mL in those who survived (P < 0.0001). sVCAM-1 level was associated with recurrent falls (P < 0.01); compared to the lowest quintile, the highest quintile of sVCAM-1 was associated with increased risk of injurious falls [multivariable adjusted Incidence Rate Ratio = 1.9, 95% CI (1.2-2.9), P = 0.009]. On survival analysis, the highest sVCAM-1 quintile was associated with the greatest mortality over 5 years (log-rank test, P < 0.0001). The adjusted hazard ratio was 2.4 [95% CI (2.1-2.7), P = 0.002]. High sVCAM-1 blood concentration was strongly associated with recurrent falls, injurious falls, and mortality in older adults.

Keywords: Adhesion molecule; Elderly; Endothelial dysfunction; Injurious falls; Mortality.

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Boston / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Independent Living
  • Male
  • Mortality*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Solubility
  • Survival Analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / blood*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1