Independent Association of Plasma Hydroxysphingomyelins With Physical Function in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

Background: Plasma metabolites such as phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins (SMs) are associated with an age-related cognitive decline. However, their relations to age-related physical function decline remain largely unknown.

Methods: We examined the cross-sectional relations of 12 plasma metabolites (including four phosphatidylcholines and four SMs) with physical function in 383 older adults in the At herosclerosis Risk in Communities Study at the fifth exam (2011-2013, mean age [standard deviation (SD)]: 78.

Predictivity of survival according to different equations for estimating renal function in community-dwelling elderly subjects.

Background: Detection of subjects with early chronic kidney disease (CKD) is important because some will progress up to stage 5 CKD, and most are at high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. While validity and precision of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations in tracking true GFR have been repeatedly investigated, their prognostic performance for mortality has not been hitherto compared. This is especially relevant in an elderly population in whom the risk of death is far more common than progression.

White blood cell count and mortality in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Objectives: We investigated the secular trend in white blood cell (WBC) count and the relationship between WBC count and mortality between 1958 and 2002.

Background: The WBC count is a clinical marker of inflammation and a strong predictor of mortality. Limited data exist on the WBC count secular trend and the relationship between WBC and mortality.