Serum albumin is associated with skeletal muscle in elderly men and women

Abstract

Serum albumin concentrations decrease with age and values < 38 g/L are associated with increased morbidity, mortality and disability in the elderly. It is not clear to what extent the decrease are exited independently with change in metabolism, dietary intake, physical activity, morbidity, or body composition. We examined associations of serum albumin with age, protein and energy intake, physical activity, morbidity, and muscle mass in 275 men and women aged 60-95 y. Serum albumin was measured the bromeresol green procedure. Usual dietary intake and physical activity were quantified through questionnaires. Morbidity was ascertained from medical history, questionnaire, and examination. Muscle mass was estimated from dual energy X- ray absorptiometry. In multivariate analyses, serum albumin was associated significantly with muscle mass after age, protein intake, physical activity, and comorbidity were controlled for in men and women. This study suggest that decrease with age in serum albumin concentrations ar associated with muscle loss (sarcopenia) in the elderly. This association is dependent of other factor that may effect muscle mass and albumin concentration. We suggest that the increased risk of disability with low serum albumin concentrations observed in the elderly may actually reflect an association with sarcopenia.