Impact of hematological and biochemical imbalances on early aging in adults aged 50 and above in five localities of Western Cameroon

Background: Aging is accompanied by biological changes that may accelerate the onset of diseases. In sub-Saharan Africa, elderly populations are particularly vulnerable to hematological and biochemical imbalances, which can serve as markers of early aging. This study examines the interactions between hemoglobin, creatine kinase (CK), and lymphocytes in elderly individuals from five localities in Western Cameroon (Bafang, Bafoussam, Baham, Bandjoun, and Dschang). Objective: To assess the association between anemia, hyperCKemia, hypoCKemia, and early aging in this population, taking into account sex-and locality-based variations, and to analyze the impact of these imbalances on the health of the elderly. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 768 participants aged 50 and above. Hemoglobin, CK, and lymphocyte levels were measured. Statistical analyses, including the Chi-square test and correlation analyses, were performed to identify associations between these biological parameters and demographic factors. Results: The study highlights a significant prevalence of anemia, hyperCKemia, and hypoCKemia, with notable differences based on sex and locality. A strong correlation was observed between CK and hemoglobin levels, suggesting an interaction between muscle metabolism and hematological status, exacerbated by early aging. Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for targeted medical monitoring of elderly populations to prevent complications related to hematological and biochemical imbalances. Early management of these anomalies could help mitigate the effects of early aging, particularly in resource-limited settings.

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Interaction of Muscle and Blood MarkersClose ×

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HypoCKémie / 50-59: Bafang vs Bafoussam vs Baham vs Bandjoun vs DschangClose ×

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Introduction

Aging is accompanied by various physiological changes, including alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters, which may predispose individuals to chronic conditions such as anemia and metabolic imbalances (Ferrucci et al., 2020) [3] . In sub-Saharan Africa, where healthcare access remains limited, these imbalances are often underdiagnosed, exacerbating the vulnerability of older populations (Ataklte et al., 2015) [1] . Hemoglobin levels play a crucial role in oxygen transport, and deviations from normal values such as anemia and erythrocytosis-are associated with adverse health outcomes, including increased frailty and cardiovascular risks (Penninx et al., 2016) [6] . Similarly, creatine kinase (CK) is an important biomarker of muscle metabolism, and its variations (hyperCKemia and hypoCKemia) may reflect underlying muscle degeneration, metabolic disorders, or inflammatory processes (Nagasawa et al., 2019) [5] . Previous studies have highlighted the relationship between CK levels and hematological profiles, particularly in aging populations (Cesari et al., 2014) [2] . However, the interplay between hemoglobin and CK levels in sub-Saharan populations remains poorly documented. This study aims to explore the association between anemia, CK variations, and aging in five localities of the West Region of Cameroon, taking into account geographic and demographic differences.

By investigating these interactions, we seek to provide insights into the biological mechanisms contributing to early aging and potential risk factors for age-related diseases.

Methodology Study Design

This study was conducted in five localities: Bafang, Bafoussam, Baham, Bandjoun, and Dschang. A total of 768 participants aged 50 years and older were recruited and categorized into four age groups (50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and ≥80 years), as well as by sex.

Data Collection

Blood samples were collected to measure hemoglobin levels, creatine kinase (CK) concentrations, and lymphocyte counts. Hemoglobin status was classified into three categories: anemia, normal, and erythrocytosis. CK levels were categorized as hypoCKemia, normal, and hyperCKemia.

Statistical Analysis

Data analysis was conducted using SPSS and XLSTAT software. The following analytical approaches were employed

Pearson Correlation Tests

Associations between electrolyte levels, age, gender, and localities were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients. À significance threshold of p<0.05 was applied.

Cross-Tabulation Analysis

Dynamic cross-tabulation tables were used to explore associations between categorical variables, such as hemoglobin levels, CK concentrations, and demographic variables, age groups, gender, and geographical localities.

These combined methods ensured a robust and comprehensive analysis of the relationships between the measured parameters and the demographic characteristics of the study population.

Résultats Study Population Characteristics

A total of 768 participants were included in the study (451 women, 317 men), with a female dominance of 58.7%.

Geographical Distribution

Geographical Distribution

Prevalence Trends

 Women represented the majority of participants across all localities.  Age distribution varied significantly depending on the region. [5,2] .

Anemia and CK Variations

The predominance of anemia among individuals with normal CK levels may be explained by multiple factors, including nutritional deficiencies, chronic inflammation, and age-related hematopoietic decline. Studies have shown that anemia is prevalent in elderly populations, particularly in low-resource settings, where dietary iron, vitamin B12, and folate deficiencies contribute to its development (Guralnik et al., 2004) [4] . Furthermore, anemia has been associated with increased frailty and reduced functional capacity, which could explain the lower prevalence of anemia in hypoCKemic individuals, as muscle degradation might be more advanced in this group (Ferrucci et al., 2020) [3] . On the other hand, hyperCKemia has been linked to inflammatory processes and muscular stress, potentially contributing to altered erythropoiesis (Cesari et al., 2014) [2] . The presence of anemia in individuals with elevated CK levels suggests a possible interplay between muscle metabolism and hematopoiesis, reinforcing the hypothesis that systemic inflammation may mediate these effects (Penninx et al., 2016) [6] .

Geographic Variations and Hemoglobin Regulation

The distribution of hemoglobin levels varied significantly across the five localities. Dschang and Baham exhibited better hemoglobin regulation, particularly in the hypoCKemia and normal CK groups, suggesting that environmental or lifestyle factors may influence these biomarkers. Prior research has highlighted the role of altitude, diet, and healthcare access in modulating hemoglobin levels (Ataklte et al., 2015) [1] . The relatively lower anemia prevalence in these areas could be attributed to differences in dietary habits, access to healthcare, or genetic adaptations to altitude. Conversely, Bafoussam had the highest anemia prevalence among individuals with normal CK levels, possibly indicating disparities in health conditions, nutritional intake, or chronic disease burden. Similar findings have been reported in studies analyzing urban-rural differences in anemia prevalence, where urban populations often experience higher rates of anemia due to lifestyle and dietary transitions (Guralnik et al., 2004) [4] .

Erythrocytosis and CK Status

Erythrocytosis was rare across all categories, particularly in the normal CK and hyperCKemia groups. This finding is consistent with previous studies suggesting that erythrocytosis is less prevalent in aging populations, as the physiological capacity for erythropoiesis declines with age (Nagasawa et al., 2019) [5] . The low prevalence of erythrocytosis in hyperCKemic individuals further supports the notion that muscle metabolism alterations do not strongly influence red blood cell production in elderly populations.

Conclusion

These results highlight the complex interactions between hematological and biochemical parameters in aging populations. The observed geographic variations emphasize the importance of local health policies and targeted interventions to address anemia and metabolic imbalances.

Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the causal relationships between CK levels, anemia, and aging processes. The integration of nutritional and biochemical screening in geriatric care could improve early detection and management of these conditions, ultimately reducing the burden of age-related diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.

Recommendations and Perspectives

Based on these findings, several recommendations can be made to improve the management of anemia and metabolic imbalances in aging populations :

Integration of Geriatric Care Services :

Strengthening healthcare systems by integrating specialized geriatric services focused on hematological and metabolic health can improve the overall quality of life for elderly individuals. 6. Investigation of Inflammatory Pathways: Given the potential role of inflammation in CK variations and anemia, further studies should examine the involvement of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in aging populations.

Acknowledgement

Acknowledgments :The authors would like to thank all participants and local health authorities for their support.

Figures and tables from the paper

Localities	Villages	50-59	60-69	70-79	≥80	Total
		F	M	F	M	F
Bafang	Bana	15	4	22	8	10
	Banka	12	21	8	17	2
Bafoussam	Kamkop	20	15	14	12	11
	Tamdja	5	13	12	12	4
Baham	Demgo	25	17	11	6	7
	Medjo	18	9	24	8	6
Bandjoun	Semtôh	8	17	6	19	8
	Tsélâh	17	13	12	14	9
Dschang	Fotetsa	25	7	23	5	12
	Johnny Baleng	22	5	24	5	23

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Distribution of the Study Population by Sex, Age, and Locality

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Percentage Distribution of the Population by Sex and Age Group in Various Localities of Western Cameroon.

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Taux d’hémoglobine	Localités	HypoCKémie	—	—	—	Normale	—	—	—	HyperCKémie	—	—	—	Total général
		50-59	60-69	70-79	≥80	50-59	60-69	70-79	≥80	50-59	60-69	70-79	≥80
Anémie	Bafang	5	3	3	2	7	4	2	3	1	4	1	0	35
	Bafoussam	1	1	0	0	22	16	15	5	4	7	2	2	75
	Baham	0	0	0	0	10	10	10	5	4	4	1	0	44
	Bandjoun	4	6	6	0	2	4	2	1	2	3	0	0	30
	Dschang	3	1	1	2	6	7	2	3	0	2	0	1	28
Normale	Bafang	17	23	10	4	3	12	2	2	9	5	4	0	91
	Bafoussam	1	1	2	0	13	16	9	7	10	6	5	0	70
	Baham	2	1	0	0	30	22	10	3	15	7	4	3	97
	Bandjoun	25	16	12	0	14	12	6	3	5	6	4	2	105
	Dschang	30	24	18	8	8	12	10	3	6	6	2	0	127
Erythrocytose	Bafang	4	3	2	0	4	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	16
	Bafoussam	0	1	1	0	2	2	1	0	0	0	2	0	9
	Baham	0	0	0	0	4	3	0	0	4	2	0	0	13
	Bandjoun	0	3	2	0	2	0	1	0	1	1	0	0	10
	Dschang	5	5	5	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	18
	Total général	97	88	62	16	128	121	71	35	63	53	26	8	768

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Hemoglobin Levels in the Study Localities Based on Creatine Kinase Levels and Age.

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