Observational studyAnnals of clinical and translational neurology2026
Effects of Biological Sex and Age on Cerebrospinal Fluid Markers-A Retrospective Observational Study.
Observational study in Annals of clinical and translational neurology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is a key diagnostic tool for neurological diseases. To date, only a few studies have investigated in larger cohorts the effect of age and biological sex on diagnostic markers extracted from CSF.
methodsFor this retrospective observational study, 4163 CSF findings (2012-2020) were evaluated. After exclusion of pathogenic CSF findings above or below the locally established reference ranges that are routinely applied in the CSF laboratory for clinical reporting, 1270 findings were included for statistical analysis. Using regression analysis, the relationship between age and CSF markers was illustrated, and regression equations were created.
resultsA significant effect of sex was shown for CSF albumin (p < 0.001; ΔM 29.34), CSF protein (p < 0.001; ΔM 39.38) and CSF glucose (p < 0.001; ΔM 3.63) as well as CSF/serum albumin quotient (Q Alb) (p < 0.001; ΔM 0.57), for Immunoglobulin G in CSF (IgG CSF) (p < 0.001; ΔM 2.48), CSF/serum IgG quotient (Q IgG) (p < 0.001; ΔM 0.27), Immunoglobulin A in CSF (IgA CSF) (p < 0.001; ΔM 0.52), CSF/serum IgA quotient (Q IgA) (p < 0.001; ΔM 0.15) and CSF/serum IgM quotient (Q IgM) (p < 0.001; ΔM 0.09). Age showed a significant effect throughout most CSF markers, most strongly for CSF protein (p < 0.001; η
interpretationFor almost all markers in CSF, a significant effect of age alone on the markers or a significant effect of sex and age on the markers could be detected. Our study underscores the importance of age- and sex-adjusted reference values for the interpretation of CSF markers in clinical practice.
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