Serum Albumin and Activities of Daily Living in Chinese Centenarians: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Objective deterioration in activities of daily living (ADLs) exists among older people, and particularly worsens with age. Considering the criterion standard of positive aging and longevity, little information focusing on centenarians is available. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between serum albumin and ADLs among centenarians in long-lived areas. Methods This population-based cross-sectional study investigated a complete sample of Chinese persons aged ≥100 years in Hainan, the longest-lived area of China (n=1002). We assessed serum albumin levels and basic and instrumental activities of daily living (BADLs and IADLs). Results Of 1002 participants included in the analysis, 287 (28.64%) had BADL disabilities and 648 (64.67%) had IADL disabilities. The median serum albumin level was 38.5 g/L (interquartile range, 36.2–41.3). The multivariable analyses controlling for socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, morbidities, and other influential factors showed that albumin level was associated with the total score of BADL ( standard β=0.335, P<0.001) and IADL ( standard β=0.206, P<0.001). With the increasing of albumin level, the risk of ADLs disability decreased (BADL: odds ratios [OR] = 0.835, 95% Confidence interval [CI]: 0.797-0.876; IADL: OR=0.863, 95%CI: 0.824-0.905). In the stratified analyses, similar results were found in both sex, but were more prominent in women. Conclusions Higher levels of serum albumin was a protective factor for the decline of ADLs in centenarians. This association can be observed in both genders and is more pronounced in women.