Age-stratified association between plasma adiponectin levels and morality in septic patients

Abstract Background: Plasma adiponectin (APN) levels are might be affected by age. The present study aimed to study the association between plasm APN levels and age, and the effects of APN levels on mortality in different age-stratified septic patients. Methods: The retrospective study that was performed with 173 patients with sepsis and 57 controls. Physical and demographic characteristics were recorded, blood samples were collected to measure plasma adiponectin levels. Using these data, we determined the association between plasma adiponectin levels and age, and the effect of plasma adiponectin levels on mortality in different age-stratified septic patients. Results: Three age group were defined: middle-age patients range of <60years, the old group of 60-80 years, and the elderly group of ≥80years. Plasma adiponectin levels increased with increasing age both in control group and sepsis group. Mortality increased with age: 12.3% in middle-aged patients, 24.6% in old patients, and 36.2% in elderly patients (P<0.001). In middle-age patients and old patients, according to the receiver operating characteristic curve, plasma APN levels had the comparable value in prediction of 28-day mortality. And adiponectin levels were an independent predictive factor for 28-day mortality for patients <80 years. However, in elderly patients, the adiponectin levels showed no significant association with 28-day mortality. Conclusions: A significant positive association between plasma APN levels and age in septic patients were found. Low circulating levels of APN were associated with 28-day mortality in septic patients aged <80years. The association between APN and mortality in sepsis patients aged >80years were not significantly found.