MEASUREMENT OF BETA-THROMBOGLOBULIN IN THE ELDERLY - FINDINGS FROM THE ROTTERDAM STUDY

Objective: The platelet specific protein, beta-thromboglobulin has bee n suggested to be a sensitive marker of in vivo platelet activation. T he aim of the present study was to evaluate beta-thromboglobulin level s in an elderly population and to determine to which extent beta-throm boglobulin levels are associated with blood sampling procedures. Metho ds: This report presents baseline findings on S-thromboglobulin of the first 2,831 participants of the Rotterdam Study, a population based p rospective cohort study among persons aged 55 years and over. Nonfasti ng blood samples were taken at varying times during the day. beta-Thro mboglobulin was assayed by an ELISA method. Applied stasis and quality of blood flow during sampling were registered on three grade scales. Results: The overall mean level of beta-thromboglobulin was 69.2 (SD 7 5.5) IU/ml (range 6-612 IU/ml). In women and to a lesser extent in men , beta-thromboglobulin was positively associated with age. According t o increasing stasis applied during sampling mean beta-thromboglobulin levels were 65.3 (SE 2.31), 74.1 (3.18), 77.6 (8.66) IU/ml. Mean beta- thromboglobulin in three grades of decreasing quality of blood flow we re 69.0 (1.73), 104.0 (11.5), 86.0 (23.7) IU/ml. Mean levels of beta-t hromboglobulin differed slightly, but significantly between the 14 lab oratory technicians who collected the blood. Conclusion: In elderly wo men and to a lesser extent in elderly men, beta-thromboglobulin is pos itively associated with age. A wide range in beta-thromboglobulin is f ound in elderly subjects which is determined to a limited extent by qu ality of blood sampling.