Serum adiponectin levels are affected by gender, body fat mass, several pathological factors or therapeutic interventions and it might be also affected by age. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum adiponectin levels and age in several physiological states.

The study was carried out in 21 100 healthy subjects (12 363 men and 8737 women) and 1833 patients with type 2 diabetes (1233 men and 600 women). Physical and demographic characteristics were recorded, and blood samples were collected to measure serum adiponectin levels. Using these data, we determined the relationships between serum adiponectin levels and various parameters, including age.

Serum adiponectin levels increased with increasing age of healthy subjects and in patients with diabetes, in both men and women. Serum adiponectin levels were positively correlated with age in healthy subjects and patients with diabetes, in both men and women. In stepwise multiple regression analysis with serum adiponectin levels as the dependent variable and physiological characteristics as explanatory variables, age was significantly and independently associated with serum adiponectin levels in each of these groups of subjects.

Serum adiponectin levels are significantly and positively associated with age in healthy subjects and in patients with diabetes. This association is independent of renal function, body fat status, glucose metabolism and lipid profiles.