Differences according to gender and health status in CD4:CD8 ratio in a sample of community-dwelling oldest old. The OCTABAIX immune study
Francesc Formiga1, Assumpta Ferrer2, Gloria Padros3, Alfons Lopez Soto4, Marta Sarro5 and Ramon Pujol1
1Geriatric Unit, Internal Medicine Service, IDIBELL, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, 2Primary Health Care Centre “El Plà” CAP -I, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Barcelona, 3Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Sud, Atenció Primària, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 4Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, 5Centre de Atención Primaria Florida Nord, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

Background and aims: The presence of an immune-risk phenotype (IRP) has been correlated with survival rates in elderly people. The aim of this study is to characterize the inverted CD4:CD8 ratio as a possible marker of IRP in a sample of oldest old (85 years) by assessing differences in gender and health status. Methods: Comorbidity, functional status (Barthel Index), and cognitive status with the Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination were evaluated. Non-disabled subjects were defined as those with better health status, with scores of >90 on the Barthel Index and >23 points on the Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. CD4:CD8 ratios were recorded, and a ratio of 1.00 or less was used to define IRF. Results: Three hundred and twelve subjects aged 85 years old were studied, 190 women (60.9%) and 122 men. The CD4:CD8 ratio was 1.00 or less in 47 subjects (15.6%) and higher than 2.2 in 115 (36.8%). There were no differences in CD4:CD8 ratio according to health status. The inverted CD4:CD8 ratio was more frequent in men (55.3%). Conclusion: In this community-dwelling, single year birth cohort study, the subgroup with poor health status did not have a lower CD4:CD8 ratio. The inverted CD4:CD8 ratio was more frequent in men. (Aging Clin Exp Res 2011; 23: 268-272) ©2011, Editrice Kurtis

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