Biological and Neuroimaging Markers as Predictors of 5-Year Incident Frailty in Older Adults: A Secondary Analysis of the MAPT Study
Authors: Lu Wan-Hsuan , de Souto Barreto Philipe , Rolland Yves , Bouyahia Ali , Fischer Clara , Mangin Jean-François , Giudici Kelly V , Vellas Bruno ,   MAPT/DSA Group, Vellas Bruno , Guyonnet Sophie , Carrié Isabelle , Brigitte Lauréane , Faisant Catherine , Lala Françoise , Delrieu Julien , Villars Hélène , Combrouze Emeline , Badufle Carole , Zueras; Methodology Audrey , analysis statistical , Andrieu Sandrine , Cantet Christelle , Morin Christophe , Abellan Van Kan Gabor , Dupuy Charlotte , Rolland Yves , Caillaud Céline , Ousset Pierre-Jean , Lala Françoise , Willis Sherry , Belleville Sylvie , Gilbert Brigitte , Fontaine Francine , Dartigues Jean-François , Marcet Isabelle , Delva Fleur , Foubert Alexandra , Cerda Sandrine , contrib-type="author"&gt; Marie-Noëlle-Cuffi , Costes Corinne , Rouaud Olivier , Manckoundia Patrick , Quipourt Valérie , Marilier Sophie , Franon Evelyne , Bories Lawrence , Pader Marie-Laure , Basset Marie-France , Lapoujade Bruno , Faure Valérie , Li Yung Tong Michael , Malick-Loiseau Christine , Cazaban-Campistron Evelyne , Desclaux Françoise , Blatge Colette , Dantoine Thierry , Laubarie-Mouret Cécile , Saulnier Isabelle , Clément Jean-Pierre , Picat Marie-Agnès , Bernard-Bourzeix Laurence , Willebois Stéphanie , Désormais Iléana , Cardinaud Noëlle , Bonnefoy Marc , Livet Pierre , Rebaudet Pascale , Gédéon Claire , Burdet Catherine , Terracol (Lyon) Flavien , Pesce Alain , Roth Stéphanie , Chaillou Sylvie , Louchart Sandrine , Sudres Kristel , Lebrun Nicolas , Barro-Belaygues Nadège , Touchon Jacques , Bennys Karim , Gabelle Audrey , Romano Aurélia , Touati Lynda , Marelli Cécilia , Pays Cécile , Robert Philippe , Le Duff Franck , Gervais Claire , Gonfrier Sébastien , Gasnier Yannick , Begorre Danièle , Carpuat Christian , Khales Khaled , Lefebvre Jean-François , Misbah El Idrissi Samira , Skolil Pierre , Salles Jean-Pierre , Dufouil Carole , Lehéricy Stéphane , Chupin Marie , Mangin Jean-François , Bouhayia Ali , Allard Michèle , Ricolfi Frédéric , Dubois Dominique , Paule Bonceour Martel Marie , Cotton François , Bonafé Alain , Chanalet Stéphane , Hugon Françoise , Bonneville Fabrice , Cognard Christophe , Chollet François , Payoux Pierre , Voisin Thierry , Delrieu Julien , Peiffer Sophie , Hitzel Anne , Allard Michèle , Zanca Michel , Monteil Jacques , Darcourt Jacques , Molinier Laurent , Derumeaux Hélène , Costa Nadège , Perret Bertrand , Vinel Claire , Caspar-Bauguil Sylvie , Olivier-Abbal Pascale , Andrieu Sandrine , Cantet Christelle , Coley Nicola 
Published: November 2020

Background

This study aims to investigate the predictive value of biological and neuroimaging markers to determine incident frailty among older people for a period of 5 years.

Methods

We included 1394 adults aged 70 years and older from the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial, who were not frail at baseline (according to Fried’s criteria) and who had at least 1 post-baseline measurement of frailty. Participants who progressed to frailty during the 5-year follow-up were categorized as “incident frailty” and those who remained non-frail were categorized as “without frailty.” The differences of baseline biochemical factors (25-hydroxyvitamin D, homocysteine, omega-3 index, C-reactive protein), other biological markers (Apolipoprotein E genotypes, amyloid-β deposits), and neuroimaging data (gray matter volume, hippocampal volume, white matter hyperintensities) were compared between groups. Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the associations between biomarkers and incident frailty.

Results

A total of 195 participants (14.0%) became frail over 5 years. Although 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency, homocysteine levels, low-grade inflammation (persistently increased C-reactive protein 3–10 mg/L), gray matter, and hippocampal volume were significantly associated with incident frailty in unadjusted models, these associations disappeared after adjustment for age, sex, and other confounders. Omega-3 index was the sole marker that presented a trend of association with incident frailty (hazard ratio: 0.92; 95% confidence interval: 0.83–1.01; p = .082).

Conclusions

This study failed to identify biomarkers able to predict frailty incidence in community-dwelling older adults for a period of 5 years. Further longitudinal research with multiple measurements of biomarkers and frailty is needed to evaluate the long-term relationships between changes in biomarkers levels and frailty evolution.