ASSOCIATION BETWEEN POLYPHARMACY AND Α-KLOTHO IN US OLDER ADULTS: THE MEDIATION ROLE OF INFLAMMATORY MARKERS
2024

Polypharmacy and Aging Protein Levels in Older Adults

Sample size: 3569 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Wei Kai, Chen Chun, Yang Yanping, Wang Libin, Sun Shuimei

Primary Institution: Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China

Hypothesis

Is there an association between polypharmacy and α-klotho levels in older adults?

Conclusion

Polypharmacy is linked to lower levels of α-klotho, potentially mediated by inflammation.

Supporting Evidence

  • The polypharmacy group had 1,591 participants, representing 42.7% of the sample.
  • The median α-klotho level in the polypharmacy group was significantly lower than in the non-polypharmacy group.
  • Polypharmacy was negatively associated with α-klotho after adjusting for multiple variables.
  • Mediation analysis showed that inflammatory biomarkers mediated the association between polypharmacy and α-klotho.

Takeaway

Taking many medications can lower a protein that helps with aging in older people, and inflammation might play a role in this.

Methodology

The study used weighted linear regression and mediation analysis on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Participant Demographics

Participants were aged 65-79 years, with a mix of men and women.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Confidence Interval

95% CI -0.0855 to -0.0157

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.2284

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