Abstract

Aims: To observe the associations of hemoglobin, albumin and cholesterol as potential malnutrition risk biomarkers with coronary artery disease in the elderly.

Methods: Individuals who were aged 80 or older took annual medical examination were included, they were divided into two groups based on the median levels of hemoglobin, albumin or cholesterol respectively. The incidences of coronary artery disease between two groups were compared. The levels of hemoglobin, albumin or cholesterol were compared in coronary artery disease and non-coronary artery disease group respectively. The relationships between hemoglobin, albumin and cholesterol and coronary artery disease were assessed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysises.

Results: 1007 individuals with ≥ 80 years old were enrolled. The incidences of coronary artery disease were significantly higher in the lower level of hemoglobin and cholesterol groups than the higher level of hemoglobin and cholesterol groups respectively (both p < 0.05). The levels of hemoglobin and cholesterol were siginificantly lower in coronary artery disease than non-coronary artery disease group (both p < 0.05). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, hemoglobin was only protective factor for coronary artery disease in people with ≥ 80 years old (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The general elderly population with lower levels of hemoglobin and cholesterol had the higher incidence of coronary artery disease, but only hemoglobin was a significant protective factor for coronary artery disease.