The relationship of the insulin-like growth factor-1 levels with quality of life and nutritional status in elderly male patients

Objective:To discuss the effects of the changes of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels on the quality of life and nutritional status in elderly male patients.Methods:A total of 50 elderly male patients(60-95 years old) were divided into 2 groups according to age:the elderly patient group(60-79 years old,n=20) and the older patient group(over 80 years old,n=30).Levels of IGF-1 were detected.The SF-36 questionnaire,micro-nutrient assessment table (MNA-SF),and geriatric nutritional risk index(GNRI) were conducted to evaluate the quality of life and nutritional status.Results:The IGF-1 level was higher in the older patient group(112.1±46.4) μg/L than that in the elderly patient group(82.8±42.1) μg/L(P<0.05).In addition to body pain score,scores of other 7 dimensions of SF-36 scale in the older patient group were significantly lower than those in the elderly patient group(P<0.01).Scores of MNA-SF and GNRI in the older patient group were also significantly lower than those in the elderly patient group(P<0.01).Correlation analysis showed that age had a negative correlation with IGF-1 level in elderly male patients(P<0.05).After adjusting the age,IGF-1 level was positively correlated with physical function,role of physical activity,body pain,general health,vitality,mental health,emotional function and nutritional status in SF-36 scale(P<0.01),and had no obvious correlation with social function(P>0.05).IGF-1 level was also positively correlated with scores of MNA-SF and GNRI(P<0.01 and P<0.05).Conclusions:The level of serum IGF-1 in elderly male patients was low,and was negatively correlated with age,which can seriously affect the quality of life and nutritional status in elderly patients.