DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE-SULFATE IN A LONG-TERM-CARE AGED POPULATION

Ninety-four institutionalized subjects (mean age 82.9 years; 13 men an d 81 women) were assessed for serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DH EAS) levels. The mean value was 457 ng/ml (SD = 426) in this cross-sec tional study. There was a significant decrease in DHEAS levels with ag e. There was no difference among demented patients with Alzheimer's di sease (n = 46), other dementia cases (n = 16), and other individuals ( n = 32). The subjects treated for arterial hypertension had significan tly lower DHEAS levels. No correlation was found between DHEAS and cor tisol values. After age adjustment, no association was observed betwee n DHEAS and chronic diseases, medications, several biochemical or hema tological parameters, or 3-year mortality.