Hyposomatomedinemia in the Men of a Veterans Administration Nursing Home: Prevalence and Correlates

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A previous study found hyposomatomedinemia to be common in the men of this VA Nursing Home. To gain information on the prevalence and correlates of this endocrine characteristics, we have measured plasma somatomedin C (SmC) in 69 Nursing Home men 55-95 years old (group I), and in 37 independent men 56-87 years old attending our geriatric medicine outpatient clinic (group II). In groups I and II, a clinical data base was compiled conprising: blood chemistries, measures of body composition-nutritional state and functional level, diagnoses, medications, and morbidity and mortality during the year after the SmC analysis. The mean .+-. SD for SmC was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in group I (0.35 .+-. 0.21 units/ml) than in group II (0.45 .+-. 0.13 units/ml). SmC less than 0.25 units/ml, a range consistent with severe growth hormone deficiency, was found almost exclusively in group I (31.8% of men in group I, 3.7% of men in group II). In either group I, or in groups I and II combined. SmC was significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with body weight as percentage of ideal, midarm muscle circumference (MAMC) as percent of standard, diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease, and plasma testosterone level. Men with SmC values below 0.25 units/ml had significantly (p < 0.05) lower values for body weight as percentage of ideal, and for MAMC as percentage of standard. Except for cerebrovascular disease, SmC did not correlate significantly (p > 0.05) with diagnosis, drugs, morbidity or mortality.