Stanifer JW, et al. - This study investigated if established aging biomarkers [interleukin-6 (IL-6), D-dimer and soluble vascular adhesion molecule (s-VCAM)] were independently associated with both estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and mortality in community-dwelling elderly adults. Findings demonstrated an association among eGFR, 4-year mortality and IL-6, D-dimer and s-VCAM in this patient population. An independent association of eGFR with mortality was evident and as well a modifying impact of IL-6, D-dimer and s-VCAM on the link between eGFR and mortality, most prominently seen in individuals with severely reduced eGFR. Data indicated that IL-6, D-dimer and s-VCAM may be useful biomarkers for improving risk prediction.

Methods

• The Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) is a longitudinal cohort of community-dwelling elderly individuals.
• Using restricted cubic splines within Cox proportional hazards models, researchers explored the association among eGFR, the biomarkers (IL-6, D-dimer and s-VCAM) and 4-year all-cause mortality.

Results

• Findings demonstrated that among 1907 participants in EPESE, 1342 had available creatinine and biomarker measures.
• The reported incidence of all-cause mortality was 21.6%.
• Researchers observed an association of eGFR with all-cause mortality (P < 0.01); individuals at the lowest (<30 mL/min/1.73 m²) levels had the highest mortality rates.
• Data also revealed that D-dimer and s-VCAM were associated (P < 0.01) with mortality, and after adjustment for IL-6, D-dimer and s-VCAM, the mortality risk varied by eGFR level.