Association between Telomere Length and Geriatric Status in Centenarians

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the association between telomere length and frailty and individual geriatric syndromes in older adults. Materials and methods: The database of a hundred-year-old citizen of the city of Moscow was analyzed. The analysis was carried out using the data driven from the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), in particular, Age is not a Hindrance Scale, the Barthel index, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). DNA was isolated from frozen blood and a study of telomere length was performed. The comparison of telomere length in groups of patients with frailty and individual geriatric syndromes was carried out. Results: The study involved 60 people (98 ± 1.8 years old, 86.7% women). The analysis found no differences in telomere length in research participants with and without frailty, as well as in the analysis of individual geriatric syndromes. No correlation was found between telomere length and the results of comprehensive geriatric assessment scales. There was no difference in telomere length in patients who died within 3 years of follow-up and those who did not. Conclusion: No relationship was found between telomere length and frailty. Thus, telomere length cannot be considered as a reliable biomarker of functional aging.