Hepatic sensing loop regulates PCSK9 secretion in response to inhibitory antibodies

El trabajo publicado por Oleaga y col.1 tiene como objetivo principal evaluar las posibles causas del aumento de los niveles plasmáticos de la proproteína convertasa subtilisina/kexina 9 (PCSK9), que suele observarse luego del tratamiento con sus inhibidores (iPCSK9), anticuerpos monoclonales que se unen específicamente a ella y la bloquean en la circulación...Fil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentin

Hepatic sensing loop regulates PCSK9 secretion in response to inhibitory antibodies

El trabajo publicado por Oleaga y col.1 tiene como objetivo principal evaluar las posibles causas del aumento de los niveles plasmáticos de la proproteína convertasa subtilisina/kexina 9 (PCSK9), que suele observarse luego del tratamiento con sus inhibidores (iPCSK9), anticuerpos monoclonales que se unen específicamente a ella y la bloquean en la circulación...Fil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentin

Increased iron store and its relationship with cardiovascular disease

En los últimos años, se ha avanzado considerablemente en el control de varios de los denominados factores de riesgo aterogénico tradicionales, a pesar de lo cual la incidencia de la enfermedad cardiovascular (ECV) continúa siendo elevada. Entre las diversas condiciones asociadas a ECV, podría ubicarse también a la sobrecarga de hierro. Su estudio ha cobrado relevancia desde que se planteó la ?hipótesis del hierro?, la cual postula que bajos niveles de hierro ejercerían un efecto protector del sistema cardiovascular. No obstante, hasta el presente, los resultados de los estudios diseñados para probar esta hipótesis han sido controversiales. Por otro lado, se lograron numerosos avances en el conocimiento del metabolismo del hierro a partir del descubrimiento de la hormona reguladora hepcidina. Los estudios sobre las funciones fisiológicas de esta hormona permitieron elaborar nuevas hipótesis que explican los resultados de los estudios clínicos anteriormente concebidos como contradictorios. El objetivo de la presente actualización es exponer, a razón de los últimos avances sobre la regulación del metabolismo del hierro y su vinculación con la inflamación, el estado actual del conocimiento sobre el posible rol del exceso de hierro como factor de riesgo de ECV.In the last years, great advance has been achieved in the control of several of the classic atherogenic risk factors; nonetheless, the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) still remains high. Among the disorders which are associated with CVD, increased iron stores have been described as one of them. Its study gained relevance since the “iron hypothesis”, which postulates that low iron levels exert a protective effect on cardiovascular system, was elaborated. In spite of the numerous studies carried out to test this hypothesis, the results have been controversial. On the other hand, much knowledge regarding iron metabolism has been gained since the description of the regulatory hormone, hepcidin. The studies on hepcidin physiologic functions allowed the elaboration of new hypothesis that could explain the results formerly conceived as inconsistent. The aim of the present review is to describe, in light of the newest advances in iron metabolism regulation and its association with inflammation, the current state of knowledge regarding the possible role of iron overload as a risk factor of CVD.Fil: Meroño, Tomás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Sorroche, Patricia. Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin

High risk of cardiovascular disease in iron overload patients

Introduction: Iron overload (IO) is defined as an increase in storage iron, regardless of the presence or absence of tissue damage. Whether increased iron stores are involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease remains controversial.Objectives: To study insulin resistance markers, lipoprotein profile, activities of anti and prooxidant enzymes and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) in patients with IO.Methods: Twenty patients with IO were compared with 20 sex and age-matched controls. General biochemical parameters, lipoprotein profile, and activities of paraoxonase 1, employing two substrates, paraoxon (PON) and phenylacetate (ARE), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and CETP were determined.Results: IO patients showed higher levels of HOMA-IR and triglycerides (median [Q1-Q3]) (128[93-193] vs. 79[51-91]mg/dl,p<0.0005) while lower HDL-cholesterol (mean±SD) (41±9 vs. 52±10mg/dl,p<0.0005) in comparison with controls. Moreover, the triglycerides/HDL-cholesterol (3.2[2.0-5.1] vs. 1.5[1.0-1.9],p<0.0005) ratio and oxidized LDL levels (94[64-103] vs. 68[59-70]IU/l,p<0.05) were increased in the patient group. Though no difference was observed in ARE activity, PON activity was decreased in IO patients (246[127-410] vs. 428[263-516]nmol.ml-1.min-1,p<0.05). In addition, CETP and Lp-PLA2 activities were also increased in the patients (189±31 vs. 155±36%.ml-1.h-1,p<0.005; and 10.1±2.9 vs. 8.2±2.4µmol.ml-1.h-1,p<0.05, respectively). Associations between ferritin concentration and the alterations in lipid metabolism were also found. Multiple regression analyses identified HOMA-IR as independent predictor of CETP activity (B=65.9,p<0.0001,r2=0.35), as well as ferritin concentration of Lp-PLA2 activity (B=3.7,p<0.0001,r2=0.40) after adjusting for confounding variables.Conclusions: IO patients presented not only insulin resistance, but also metabolic alterations which were related to elevated iron stores and are associated to high risk of cardiovascular disease.Fil: Meroño, Tomás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Rosso, Leonardo Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Sorroche, Patricia. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Boero, Laura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Arbelbide, Jorge. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin

Vascular reactivity and biomarkers of endothelial function in healthy subjects exposed to acute hypobaric hypoxia

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute hypobaric hypoxia (HH) on vascular reactivity and biochemical markers associated with endothelial function (EF). Main methods: Ten healthy subjects were exposed to a simulated altitude of 4,000. meters above sea level for 4. hours in a hypobaric chamber. Vascular reactivity was measured by the flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMVD) test. Endothelin-1, high sensitive-C reactive protein (hsCRP), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), paraoxonase and adiponectin levels, and FMVD were evaluated before and after the exposure. Key findings: Subjects were young (age: 32±6years), lean [body mass index: 23.9±2.0kg/m2, waist circumference: 77(IQR: 72-80) cm], and presented normal clinical and biochemical parameters. No significant changes were evidenced in FMVD in response to HH (pre: 0.45 (0.20-0.70) vs. during: 0.50 (0.20-1.22) mm; p=0.594). On the other hand, endothelin-1 (+54%, p<0.05), hsCRP (+37%, p<0.001), IL-6 (+75%, p<0.05), TNF-α (+75%, p<0.05), and adiponectin (-39%, p<0.01) levels were significantly altered post-HH. FMVD was increased in 7 subjects, and it was decreased in 3 individuals during HH exposure. Interestingly, when EF biomarkers were compared between these two subgroups of subjects, only post exposure-adiponectin levels were significantly different (49±5 vs. 38±6μg/ml, respectively, p<0.05). Significance: HH exposure had an effect on endothelin-1, adiponectin, hsCRP, IL-6, and TNF-α concentration. However, adiponectin was the only biomarker associated with an altered vascular reactivity.Fil: Iglesias, Diego. Sociedad Argentina de Medicina de Montaña; Argentina. Hospital Italiano; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Rosso, Leonardo Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Vainstein, Nora. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Meroño, Tomás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lezón, Christian Esteban. Sociedad Argentina de Medicina de Montaña; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Markers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease in recently diagnosed celiac disease patients

AIM: To evaluate novel risk factors and biomarkers of cardiovascular disease in celiac disease (CD) patients compared with healthy controls.METHODS:Twenty adult patients with recent diagnosis of CD and 20 sex, age and body mass index-matched healthy controls were recruited during a period of 12 mo.Indicators of carbohydrate metabolism, hematological parameters and high sensitive C reactive protein were determined. Moreover, lipoprotein metabolism was also explored through evaluation of the lipid profile and the activity of cholesteryl ester transfer protein and lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2, which is also considered a specific marker of vascular inflammation. The protocol was approved by the Ethic Committee from School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires and from Buenos Aires Italian Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina.RESULTS: Regarding the indicators of insulin resistance, CD patients showed higher plasma insulin levels [7.2 (5.0-11.3) mU/L vs 4.6 (2.6-6.7) mU/L, P < 0.05], increased Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance [1.45 (1.04-2.24) vs 1.00 (0.51-1.45), P < 0.05] and lower Quantitative Sensitive Check index [0.33 (0.28-0.40) vs 0.42 (0.34-0.65), P < 0.05] indexes. Folic acid concentration [5.4 (4.4-7.9) ng/mL vs 12.2 (8.0-14.2) ng/mL, P < 0.01] resulted to be lower and High-sensitivity C reactive protein levels higher (4.21 ± 6.47 mg/L vs 0.98 ± 1.13 mg/L, P < 0.01) in the patient group. With respect to the lipoprotein profile, CD patients showed lower high density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C) (45 ± 15 mg/dL vs 57 ± 17 mg/dL, P < 0.05) and apo A-I (130 ± 31 mg/dL vs 155 ± 29 mg/ dL, P < 0.05) levels, as well as higher total cholesterol/ HDL-C [4.19 (3.11-5.00) vs 3.52 (2.84-4.08), P < 0.05] and apo B/apo A-I (0.75 ± 0.25 vs 0.55 ± 0.16, P < 0.05) ratios in comparison with control subjects. No statistically significant differences were detectedin lipoprotein-associated lipid transfer protein and enzymes.CONCLUSION: The presence and interaction of the detected alterations in patients with CD, would constitute a risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.Fil: Tetzlaff, Walter Francisco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Meroño, Tomás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Menafra, Martín. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Martin, Maximiliano. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Botta, Eliana Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Matoso, María Dolores. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Sorroche, Patricia Beatriz. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: De Paula, Juan A. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Boero, Laura Estela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentin

Obesity by BMI and central obesity in adolescents from Comodoro Rivadavia, Patagonia Argentina

Antecedentes: La prevalencia de obesidad infantil y adolescente resulta relevante ya que con frecuencia el sobrepeso a esa edad persistirá en la vida adulta. Objetivo: Determinar sobrepeso y obesidad en una población adolescente de Comodoro Rivadavia, Patagonia Argentina. Métodos: Se utilizaron las tablas propuestas para el índice de masa corporal (IMC) y la circunferencia de cintura (CC) por los siguientes tres grupos: International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) y la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Se evaluó el grado de concordancia en las definiciones, en relación a las tablas empleadas. Se estudiaron por muestreo no probabilístico y consecutivo, 402 voluntarios (279 mujeres y 123 varones) de edades comprendidas entre 12 y 16 ± 0,5 años. Con consentimiento escrito de los padres y asentimiento de los voluntarios, se midió peso, talla presión arterial y CC. Se calcularon percentiles del IMC y de la CC. Resultados: Al utilizar tanto las tablas IOTF como CDC más del 40 % de la población presentó sobrepeso u obesidad según el IMC. No se evidenciaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas al evaluar sobrepeso según sexo mientras que los varones presentaron mayores índices de obesidad con ambas definiciones (p0,05). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de obesidad es elevada tanto al considerar percentiles tanto de IMC, como de CC. El grado de acuerdo de las definiciones es adecuado. Estos resultados aportan información regional inexistente hasta este momento y alertan sobre una situación que requiere una urgente intervención sanitaria.Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence is important because it will frequently persist in adult life. Objective: To determine overweight and obesity in a group of adolescents from Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentine Patagonia through the use of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. Methods: Obesity Taskforce (IOTF), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Word Health Organization (WHO) tables were used. The agreement degree in the definitions was evaluated in relation with the tables used. 402 volunteers were studied, aged between 12 to 16 years old ± 0.5. Written parental consent and assent of volunteers were obtained. Anthropometry, blood pressure were measured, andbody mass index and waist circumference´s percentile (Pc) were calculated. Results: Over 40 % of the adolescents were obese or overweight (BMI equal or major 95 or 85, respectively). There weren´t significant statistic difference between overweight and gender while the males showed majors obesity index with both definitions (p0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of obesity is high with both BMI, as waist circumference percentiles. The degree agreement of the definition is adequate. These results contribute regional information that actually it is non-existent up to now and it alert about a situation that requires an urgent sanitary intervention.Fil: Ponce, Graciela M.. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Quezada, Andrés O.. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, María A. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Boeri, Mónica P.. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Soto, Mariana S.. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Adiponectin: an adipocytokine with multiple protective functions

Actualmente, se considera que el tejido adiposo es un órgano dinámico involucrado en muchos procesos fisiológicos y metabólicos. Expresa y secreta una gran variedad de péptidos activos conocidos como adipocitoquinas que actúan en forma local y sistémica. Además, expresa numerosos receptores que le permiten responder a señales aferentes de diferentes órganos endocrinos y del sistema nervioso central. La adiponectina es una hormona de 30 kDa producida exclusivamente por el tejido adiposo. A diferencia de las demás adipocitoquinas conocidas, sus niveles se encuentran disminuídos en estados asociados con resistencia insulínica, tal como obesidad, diabetes tipo 2 y síndrome metabólico. A esta proteína se le ha atribuído un rol antidiabético, antiinflamatorio y antiaterogénico. El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar una revisión acerca de la estructura, las funciones biológicas, el o los posibles mecanismos de acción, las implicancias fisiopatológicas y las posibles aplicaciones de la evaluación de los niveles de esta adipocitoquina a nivel clínico.The adipose tissue is considered a dynamic organ, which is involved in a wide range of physiological and metabolic processes. This tissue expresses and secretes a variety of bioactive peptides, known as adipocytokines, which act both at the local and at the systemic levels. The adipose tissue also expresses several receptors that allow it to respond to afferent signals from different endocrine organs, as well as form the central nervous system. Adiponectin is a 30 kDa hormone exclusively secreted by adipocytes. Unlike the other known adipocytokines, its concentration is reduced in conditions associated to insulin resistance, like obesity, type2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Several studies suggest that adiponectin has antidiabetic, antiinflammatory and antiatherogenic actions. The aim of this work is to review the new advances in structure, biological functions, mechanisms of action and potential clinical applications of adiponectin evaluation.Fil: Elissondo, Natalia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Rosso, Leonardo Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Maidana, Patricia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin

Alterations in biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in active acromegaly

Objectives: In acromegalic patients, cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities contribute to enhance mortality. Available data on the lipoprotein profile of these patients are controversial. Our aim was to characterize the lipoprotein profile and emergent biomarkers of cardiovascular disease in active acromegalic patients in comparison with sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Patients: Eighteen patients with active acromegaly and 18 controls were studied. Measurements: Glucose levels, hormonal status, lipoprotein profile and C reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated by standardized methods. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) were measured by radiometric techniques, endothelin-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and leucocytes CD18, CD49d and CD54 by flow cytometry. Results: After adjusting for body mass index (BMI), acromegalic patients presented a more atherogenic lipoprotein profile, consisting of higher levels of triglycerides and apolipoprotein B and alterations in the ratios which estimate insulin resistance and atherogenic risk. CETP activity was significantly increased in acromegalic patients as compared to controls (168 ± 17 vs. 141 ± 30% per ml h, respectively; P < 0.05). Endothelin-1 levels evidenced an increase in the patients' group (0.9 ± 0.2 vs. 0.7 ± 0.2 ng/l, respectively; P < 0.01) and showed positive and significant correlations with GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 (r = 0.45, 0.42 and 0.44, respectively; P < 0.01 for all of them; with BMI as a fixed variable). Lymphocytes from acromegalic patients showed increased CD49d content (282 ± 59 vs. 246 ± 48 arbitrary units, respectively; P < 0.05). Conclusions: Taken together, the alterations described seem to contribute to constituting a state of higher propensity for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which adds to the presence of specific cardiomyopathy.Fil: Boero, Laura Estela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Manavela, M.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Rosso, Leonardo Adrián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Insua, C.. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Niños Pedro Elizalde (ex Casa Cuna); ArgentinaFil: Berardi, V.. No especifíca;Fil: Fornari, M.C.. No especifíca;Fil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin

High TSH and low T4 as prognostic markers in older patients

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between thyroid profile and morbidity/mortality (MM) in hospitalized older patients. DESIGN: This is a retrospective study of patients over the age of 60yr admitted to the Dr. Cesar Milstein Hospital between 2009 and 2010 and who had thyroid function tests (TFT). The patients were grouped as per their thyroid tests and their clinical characteristics and MM was associated with their TFT. High MM was defined as mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) requirement or prolonged hospital stay (>18 days, 75thpercentile), and mortality assessed during an 18-month follow-up period after their hospital discharge. RESULTS: Out of 2599 older patients admitted to our hospital, 7% had TFT performed for various reasons. The patients who had TFT were mostly women and presented in a more serious clinical condition compared to the rest of the patients. The patients were grouped as per their thyroid values as follows: 61% of them had a non-thyroidal illness, 25% were euthyroid, 7% had overt hyperthyroidism, 5% overt hypothyroidism and 1% had subclinical hyper- or hypothyroidism. The hypothyroid patients had a worse clinical outcome compared to the others. Patients with increased MM exhibited higher TSH and lower TT4 (p<0.005). Short-term MM (OR=2.0,95%CI=1.1-3.6, p<0.01) was associated with the decrease of TT4 adjusted by age, sex, T3 and TSH, while for long-term MM the increase in TSH (OR=1.6,95%CI 1.1-2.3, p<0.05) was also significant. CONCLUSION: Among hospitalized older patients who had TFT tests, low TT4 and high TSH were associated with a worse prognosis. We propose that TFT be used as an additional tool in assessing MM in elderly hospitalized patients.Fil: Mingote, Evelin. Hospital "Dr. César Milstein"; ArgentinaFil: Meroño, Tomás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Rujelman, Rocío. Hospital "Dr. César Milstein"; ArgentinaFil: Marquez, Alejandra. Hospital "Dr. César Milstein"; ArgentinaFil: Fossati, Pia. Hospital "Dr. César Milstein"; ArgentinaFil: Gurfinkiel, Mirta. Hospital "Dr. César Milstein"; ArgentinaFil: Schnitman, Marta. Hospital "Dr. César Milstein"; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Faingold, Cristina. Hospital "Dr. César Milstein"; ArgentinaFil: Brenta, Gabriela. Hospital "Dr. César Milstein"; Argentin