Association of an inflammaging score based on IL-6, IL-10 and CXCL9, and frailty with long-term mortality in hospitalized older adults

Researchers studied older adults who were hospitalized. They measured blood levels of IL-6, IL-10, and CXCL9, immune-system messenger proteins, and combined them into an “inflammaging” score, meaning signs of age-related inflammation. They also assessed frailty, which means reduced strength, health, and ability to cope with illness. People with higher inflammation scores and greater frailty were more likely to die during long-term follow-up.

What this means for you: This does not show that inflammation caused the deaths, or that reducing these markers would extend life. It does not provide a reason to buy a supplement or order an inflammation test; the findings mainly suggest that inflammation and frailty may help doctors identify higher-risk hospitalized patients.