[Serum albumin level and activities of daily living in centenarians].

ABSTRACT

The relationship between serum albumin level and activities of daily living was studied in 95 centenarians. There were 73 women (12 rank J free-living, 18 rank A unable to go outside without help, 20 rank B bedridden but able to sit on the bed, 23 rank C completely bedridden) and 22 men (9 rank J, 7 rank A, 6 rank B or C). The serum albumin level (mean +/- S.D. 4.0 +/- 0.4 g/dl) of the rank J women was at the lower limit of normal for young adults. The albumin levels of rank A, rank B, and rank C were 3.7 +/- 0.4 g/dl, 3.5 +/- 0.3 g/dl, and 3.4 +/- 0.4 g/dl, respectively. The levels of rank B and rank C women were significantly lower than that of rank J women. The albumin level of rank J men (3.9 +/- 0.3 g/dl) was lower than that of young adults. The albumin level of ranks B and C men (3.1 +/- 0.3 g/dl) was significantly lower than that of rank J men. The A/G ratio or albumin fraction (%) measured by serum electrophoresis was similar to that of the serum albumin level of centenarians of both sexes. There were no significant differences in the serum protein level or in the peripheral hemoglobin level between rank J centenarians and those of other ranks, for both sexes. The serum albumin level is a valuable indicator of the ability to perform activities of daily living and may be a useful prognostic index in centenarians.