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. 2010 Apr;65(4):369-76.
doi: 10.1093/gerona/glp183. Epub 2010 Jan 11.

Myeloperoxidase levels and mortality in frail community-living elderly individuals

Affiliations

Myeloperoxidase levels and mortality in frail community-living elderly individuals

Silvia Giovannini et al. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2010 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Elevated systemic levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) have been associated with unfavourable clinical outcomes. In the present study, we evaluate the impact of MPO, a pro-oxidant enzyme that catalyzes the initiation of lipid peroxidation and affects nitric oxide levels, on the risk of all-cause mortality in a large population of frail octogenarians and nonagenarians living in community.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Aging and Longevity Study in the Sirente Geographic Area (ilSIRENTE Study), a prospective cohort study that collected data on all individuals aged 80 years and older living in a mountain community (n = 363). The main outcome measure was the risk of death after 4 years of follow-up. Participants were divided into three groups based on MPO tertiles: lower tertile < or = 61.5 microg/L (n = 120), intermediate tertile 61.6-140.6 microg/L (n = 120), and higher tertile > or = 140.7 microg/L (n = 123).

Results: A total of 150 deaths occurred during 4-years follow-up. The mean MPO level was 170.8 + or - 177.5 microg/L among those who died compared with 135.4 + or - 142.4 microg/L among survivors (p = .03). Individuals in the highest MPO tertile had higher risk of mortality (40% [60/123]) compared with those in the lower tertile (26% [39/120]). After adjusting for potential confounders, compared with participants in the lower tertile, those in the higher tertile had a hazard ratio for mortality of 1.97 (95% confidence interval: 1.02-3.80).

Conclusion: Our results obtained from a representative sample of very old and frail elderly individuals expand the knowledge that low levels of MPO are associated with better survival.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Survival curves for patients stratified across levels of myeloperoxidase tertiles at baseline.

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