Evaluation of Serum Creatinine Kinase and Lactate Dehydrogenase in Apparently Healthy Geriatric Subjects in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

With the global increase in life expectancy, the ageing population has become a growing demographic with unique healthcare needs. Among the major concerns in geriatric health is the often-silent progression of muscular and metabolic disorders, which can significantly affect quality of life and functional independence. This study aims to evaluate the activities of creatinine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in apparently healthy geriatrics in Ekpoma, Edo State. The specific location for the study was Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. A total of two hundred (200) apparently healthy geriatric individuals aged 65 years and above from various communities in Ekpoma, including those affiliated with Ambrose Alli University, were recruited for this study. The results show the comparison of CK and LDH levels of healthy Geriatric study participants with apparently healthy young control participants. As expected, the mean age of the control (24.56±5.08) was significantly lower than that of the Geriatric study participants (61.32±65.45) (p<0.001). The mean creatine kinase level of Geriatrics (61.32±65.45) was higher than that of the young control participants (51.59±16.12).  There was a significant age-related decline in LDH levels among geriatric participants (165.53 ± 92.99 U/L) compared to the younger group (299.92 ± 96.34 U/L, p < 0.001), with a strong negative correlation between LDH and age (r = -0.594, p < 0.001). In contrast, CK levels remained stable across age groups, showing no significant difference between geriatric (61.32 ± 65.45 U/L) and younger controls (51.59 ± 16.12 U/L, p = 0.150). Gender-based analysis indicated no significant difference in CK between groups, while LDH was consistently lower in older adults regardless of sex. The study concludes that the significant and progressive decline in LDH levels with advancing age highlights its potential as a biomarker of physiological ageing and calls for the adoption of age-adjusted reference intervals in clinical practice. Future research should focus on the longitudinal relationship between these enzyme profiles and functional health outcomes in older adults.