Leptin in Very Elderly Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Studies of leptin in old patients and centenarians are very few; therefore, we investigate leptin pathology in very elderly patients suffered from coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: 110 very elderly patients were enrolled in the cross-sectional study: 90 patients with CAD in the study group, 20 patients without CAD in control. Serum leptin concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Elevated serum leptin levels were found in 58%, low in 16.5%, normal in 25.5% of patients. In patients with CAD, mean leptin level reached 16.7 ng/mL, without CAD, 15.3 ng/mL (p=0.6). Patients with heart failure had lower leptin levels (p=0.03). In patients with obesity, mean leptin concentration was 28.5 ng/mL, without obesity was 12.2 ng/mL (p <0.001). Significant correlation was found between leptin levels and body mass index (p <0.001), and fat mass (p <0.001). Leptin levels positively correlated with serum total cholesterol (p=0.02) and triglycerides (p=0.003). In patients with diabetes mellitus higher leptin values were found (26.3 ng/mL vs. 13.5 ng/ mL in patients without diabetes; p <0.001). Significant correlation was found between serum leptin and glucose levels (p <0.001). In patients with reduced leptin concentration lower values of bone mineral density were observed (p <0.001). Conclusion: Leptin pathology is common in very elderly patients (with or without coronary artery disease). Higher leptin levels are associated with various metabolic disorders. Lower leptin levels are associated with heart failure.