Abstract
Objectives. To evaluate age-related changes of total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) in single-laboratory cohort.
Materials and Methods. 16153 consecutive TP and ALB tests (“Centrālā laboratorija”, 2020-2024, Cobas Pro c503, ROCHE). M:F 1:1.8, age 18-97 (mean 56.9). Statistical analysis performed by IBM SPSS v27.
Results. TP and ALB levels fell between age 18-29 and 80+, mean TP from 73.6 to 69.71g/L (-5.4%) and ALB from 45.88 to 41.49g/L (-10.5%), ANOVA p<0.001. Dynamics was more pronounced in males. TP in females decreased from 73.07 to 69.57g/L (-4.8%), in males from 74.34 to 70.08g/L (-5.7%); albumin from 46.26 to 41.48g/L (-10.3%) in females, from 47.64 to 41.53g/L (-12.8%) in males (p<0.001 for age and gender differences). Rates of hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia increased with age, respectively, from 4.4% to 21.3% and 1.2% to 8.7% (p<0.001). Hyperproteinemia remained <1%; hyperalbuminemia decreased from 4.7% to 0.1% (p<0.001). Hypoproteinemia rose from 5.4% to 22.1% in females and 3.2% to 19.0% in males (p<0.001). Hypoalbuminemia increased from 1.0% to 8.5% in females and from 1.5% to 9.5% in males (age and gender p<0.001). Hyperalbuminemia in females decreased from 2.1% to 1.0%. Hyperalbuminemia rate in males was 7.8% at 18-29 and dropped to zero at 80+ (p<0.001). Additional analysis showed peak at 21-26 (9.4%, p<0.001) with simultaneously increased ALB (+ 0.79g/L, p=0.002) and TP (+0.78g/L, p=0.017).
Conclusions.
Hypoproteinemia rate at age 80+ was >20% and hypoalbuminemia rate almost 10%. That is high, even in preselected cohort. The changes are partly due to ageing, but in most cases there are probable social and medical reasons, related to diet restrictions and chronic diseases, with resulting hypoproteinemia aggravating these reasons. Active screening for hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia in elderly seems to be indicated. The study revealed unexpectedly high hyperalbuminemia rate in young males that may have medical issues. A reasonable explanation may be consuming excessive nutritional protein.
Materials and Methods. 16153 consecutive TP and ALB tests (“Centrālā laboratorija”, 2020-2024, Cobas Pro c503, ROCHE). M:F 1:1.8, age 18-97 (mean 56.9). Statistical analysis performed by IBM SPSS v27.
Results. TP and ALB levels fell between age 18-29 and 80+, mean TP from 73.6 to 69.71g/L (-5.4%) and ALB from 45.88 to 41.49g/L (-10.5%), ANOVA p<0.001. Dynamics was more pronounced in males. TP in females decreased from 73.07 to 69.57g/L (-4.8%), in males from 74.34 to 70.08g/L (-5.7%); albumin from 46.26 to 41.48g/L (-10.3%) in females, from 47.64 to 41.53g/L (-12.8%) in males (p<0.001 for age and gender differences). Rates of hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia increased with age, respectively, from 4.4% to 21.3% and 1.2% to 8.7% (p<0.001). Hyperproteinemia remained <1%; hyperalbuminemia decreased from 4.7% to 0.1% (p<0.001). Hypoproteinemia rose from 5.4% to 22.1% in females and 3.2% to 19.0% in males (p<0.001). Hypoalbuminemia increased from 1.0% to 8.5% in females and from 1.5% to 9.5% in males (age and gender p<0.001). Hyperalbuminemia in females decreased from 2.1% to 1.0%. Hyperalbuminemia rate in males was 7.8% at 18-29 and dropped to zero at 80+ (p<0.001). Additional analysis showed peak at 21-26 (9.4%, p<0.001) with simultaneously increased ALB (+ 0.79g/L, p=0.002) and TP (+0.78g/L, p=0.017).
Conclusions.
Hypoproteinemia rate at age 80+ was >20% and hypoalbuminemia rate almost 10%. That is high, even in preselected cohort. The changes are partly due to ageing, but in most cases there are probable social and medical reasons, related to diet restrictions and chronic diseases, with resulting hypoproteinemia aggravating these reasons. Active screening for hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia in elderly seems to be indicated. The study revealed unexpectedly high hyperalbuminemia rate in young males that may have medical issues. A reasonable explanation may be consuming excessive nutritional protein.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 78 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2025 |
| Event | 10th International Multidisciplinary Research Conference: Society. Health. Welfare - Riga, Riga, Latvia Duration: 26 Mar 2025 → 28 Mar 2025 Conference number: 10 https://rw2025.rsu.lv/society-health-welfare https://dspace.rsu.lv/jspui/handle/123456789/17191 |
Conference
| Conference | 10th International Multidisciplinary Research Conference: Society. Health. Welfare |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | RSU RW2025 SHW |
| Country/Territory | Latvia |
| City | Riga |
| Period | 26/03/25 → 28/03/25 |
| Internet address |
Keywords*
- Total protein
- albumin
Field of Science*
- 3.1 Basic medicine
Publication Type*
- 3.4. Other publications in conference proceedings (including local)