PLASMA DNA AS CELL-DEATH MARKER IN ELDERLY PATIENTS

Plasm DNA increases where cell death occurs in vivo. To investigate it s significance in elderly patients, plasma DNA was assayed in 79 insti tutionalized patients over 68 years of age. The patients were divided into two groups: group I comprises 39 patients suffering from various acute or chronic illnesses; group II comprises 40 patients without chr onic disease, and free of any clinical or biological symptoms of any i nfectious or inflammatory process. Plasma DNA was higher in group I th an in group II (p < 0.0001) and in group II than in a control group of middle-aged subjects (p < 0.05). In group I, increase in plasma DNA c oncentration was found in various pathological situations associated w ith cell death phenomena, including infections, cancers with metastasi s, hepatitis, irreversible cardiac failure, severe respiratory insuffi ciency and thrombophlebitis. Plasma DNA concentrations were not correl ated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fibrinogen concentration, he moglobin concentration or leukocyte count. In group I, as well as in t he overall population, survival after 1 month was significantly reduce d in patients with increased concentrations of plasma DNA. In conclusi on, plasma DNA as a marker of cell death phenomena occurring in vivo, could be helpful for follow-up and management of elderly patients.