Nutritional markers, acute phase reactants and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 in elderly patients with pressure sores

Background. Loss of Collagen and elastin is observed in the elderly. In geriatric inpatients, chronic protein malnutrition could induce susceptibility to additional morbidity such as pressure sores. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between nutritional and inflammatory status and the production of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1). Methods: Chronically ill elderly inpatients, without or with pressure sores, were enrolled. Nutritional protein markers, acute phase reactants, and TIMP-1 were determined, and changes in these biological parameters were compared. Results: Chronic inflammatory process and protein malnutrition were observed in all enrolled patients. The severity of these two pathophysiological processes was independent of the occurrence of pressure sores. The serum prealbumin and albumin levels were lower in patients with pressure sores than in those without. In addition, the general increase in the TIMP-1 level was independent of the occurrence of pressure sores. The TIMP-1 level was mainly related to the prognostic inflammatory and nutritional index. Conclusions: The general increase in acute-phase reactants observed in the elderly could be related to the intercurrent diseases. The generally low serum albumin level, lowest in patients with pressure sores, may be considered evidence of protein malnutrition and hypercatabolism. Regarding the morbidity, the increase in TIMP-1 levels could be explained as an adaptive process to prevent intrinsic protein expenditure of extracellular matrices. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel.