[Antithrombin III activity in the elderly--association with cardiovascular disease risk factors].

The incidence of thromboembolic episodes as well as cardiovascular diseases increases with advancing age. Antythrombin III (AT III) is one of the three natural anticoagulants (AT III, protein C, protein S) circulatig in blood vessels and responsible for an adequate blood flow. The aim of the study was to evaluate AT III level in a random sample of community-dwelling older inhabitants of Lodz (Poland), and to assess the relationship of AT III activity with other cardiovascular risk factors and selected elements of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment. In 176 examined subjects (108 women and 68 men) mean AT III activity was 89.8 +/- 20.7%. Statistically significant relationship of AT III activity with age (Spearman's rho=-0.23; p=0.002), trigliceride level (rho=0.17; p=0.03), Geriatric Depression Scale (rho=-0.17; p=0.03) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale (rho=0.16; p=0.03) was found. AT III activity was not associated with gender, BMI, WHR, percentage of body fat, total, LDL and HDL-cholesterol levels, glucose, fibrinogen, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, smoking habit, Activities of Daily Living scale, Mini-Mental State Examination scale, physical activity level and concomitant diseases. These results suggest that age, depression, and lower functional capacity are associated with lower AT III activity and may contribute to overall thromboembolic risk profile in adults aged more than 65 years.