Granulocyte adherence in the elderly.

Granulocyte adherence was measured in blood samples from 57 subjects more than 60 years old and 50 subjects 11 to 59 years old. In contrast to mean hemoglobin levels, leukocyte counts, and neutrophil counts, which were lower in the samples from the older group, granulocyte adherence was greater for the older subjects (mean = 78.4%) than for the younger subjects (mean = 65.7%). Ingested aspirin, chlorothiazides, methyldopa, digitalis, antihistamines, and barbiturates had no effect on granulocyte adherence. Alcohol ingestion within 24 hours was associated with reduced granulocyte adherence in the older group. Granulocyte adherence was slightly greater for aged black than for aged white subjects, but the difference was not statistically significant. Granulocytes of women showed greater adherence than those of men, and this difference persisted after menopause into the ninth decade of life.