Blood Protein Biomarkers Predict Future Disability Risk in Very Old Adults

Blood proteins may flag disability risk years before loss of independence

Japan has one of the world's fastest-aging populations, but maintaining independence into very old age remains a growing public health challenge. Nearly 60% of Japanese adults aged 85 years and older already receive support through the national Long-Term Care Insurance system, highlighting the need to identify people at risk before disability develops.

Blood protein biomarkers predict future disability risk in very old adults

Japan has one of the world's fastest-aging populations, but maintaining independence into very old age remains a growing public health challenge.

Blood Protein Biomarkers May Enable Early Prediction of Disability

Japan’s rapidly aging population is bringing a once-distant health challenge into sharp focus: how can doctors identify people who are likely to lose their independence before disability becomes obvious? A new study led by researchers at Keio University suggests that the answer may be partly visible in an ordinary blood sample. Two circulating proteins, beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) and cystatin C, were associated with a higher future risk of disab…