RISK FACTORS FOR PHYSICAL DISABILITY IN AGING WOMEN

本子项目是利用由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源的众多研究子项目之一。子项目和研究者（PI）可能已经从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金，因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。列出的机构是中心的，不一定是研究者的机构。体弱老年人的评估、治疗和康复是老年医学的基石。大多数研究和我们的初步数据支持这样一个概念，即体弱个体是老年人中最脆弱的子集，与年龄匹配的非体弱个体相比，其发病率、死亡率和功能衰退率明显更高。随着越来越多的美国人活到80岁和90岁，研究人员和临床医生了解虚弱的生理基础和残疾的演变将是至关重要的，以便识别处于危险中的个体，并促进改进预防和治疗。在过去的几年里，一些论文已经确定了免疫和内分泌因素，表明在虚弱和残疾中起作用。本研究的目的和意义在于确定在WHAS II纵向研究中可能预测虚弱的生物学相关因素。通过纵向数据收集和分析，我们也可以确定这些过程中的因果途径。为了实现这一目标，我们将测量促炎和抗炎细胞因子，包括IL-6、ifn - γ、IL-10和tnf - α，以及在这些过程的进化中被认为重要的任何其他细胞因子。此外，激素如DHEA-S、IGF-1、唾液皮质醇、雌二醇和睾酮将被测量，并与虚弱、残疾和死亡率等不良健康结果相关。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of frail older adults is a cornerstone of geriatric medicine. Most studies and our preliminary data support the concept that frail individuals are the most vulnerable subset of older adults, with significantly higher rates of morbidity, mortality, and functional decline as compared to age-matched individuals who are not frail. As increasing numbers of Americans live into their 80's and 90's, it will be of critical importance for investigators and clinicians to understand the physiologic basis of frailty and the evolution of disability in order to identify individuals at risk and to facilitate improved prevention and treatment. In the past several years, a number of papers have identified immunologic and endocrine factors that suggest a role in frailty and disability. The purpose and significance of this study is to identify the biologic correlates that may predict frailty in the WHAS II longitudinal study. Through longitudinal data collection and analyses, we may be able to identify causal pathways in these processes as well. In order to accomplish this, we will measure pro and anti- inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IFN-gamma, IL-10, and TNF-alpha in addition to any other cytokine deemed important in the evolution of these processes. In addition, hormones such as DHEA-S, IGF-1, salivary cortisol, estradiole, and testosterone will be measured and correlated with the adverse health outcomes of frailty, disability, and mortality.