‘Evaluation of beta-2-microglobulin and neuron-specific enolase as prognostic factors in patients over 65 years of age with frailty syndrome hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome’

Background The aim of the study is to assess the value of beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) as prognostic factors in the population of patients over 65 years of age with frailty hospitalized due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods Patients aged ≥65 years with ACS were included. Assessment of frailty was carried out using the FRAIL scale. The measurement of NSE and B2M was carried out three times during hospitalization: (1) at the time of admission, (2) on the second day of hospitalization, (3) on the seventh day of hospitalization, or the day of discharge if it was before the seventh day. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality, and the secondary endpoint was unscheduled rehospitalization. Results Of the 127 patients, frailty was identified in 39.3%. Multivariate analysis of variance showed significantly higher levels of NSE ( P = 0.012) and B2M ( P chi-square 0.556). Harrell’s C-index for unscheduled rehospitalization was higher for frailty assessed by the FRAIL scale compared to B2M-3. Conclusion Monitoring NSE and B2M marker levels in patients over 65 years of age with frailty and ACS does not provide additional benefits in terms of prognostic ability compared to tests assessing frailty. B2M, assessed upon hospital admission and monitoring NSE and B2M levels during hospitalization may be considered in the diagnosis of frailty and risk stratification in a group of patients for whom currently available frailty diagnostic tools cannot be used.