[Critical age as the main parameter of deterioration of health in the elderly].
The concept of critical age (CA) relates to accelerated development of illness in the elderly and defines the decade in which there is the greatest increase in a specific pathological condition. Clinically, increased rates for pathological medical, biological, psychological and social conditions occur in defined populations. 78 parameters with linear increase in rate were excluded. 693 parameters were computed and classified according to both decade of life and to physiological and multisystem problems (such as diabetes). The most dangerous age is 70-79 years, when calamities of various degrees of severity "bomb" a subject approximately twice a month. CA was similar for some systems (immune, endocrine, and cardiovascular), and for diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. Among 351 CA distributions relating to 27 systemic and multisystemic problems, there were 103 statistically different CAs. We conclude that the rate of deterioration in health is largely system-oriented. Following the most dangerous decade, rates of increase in CA slow or CA even decreases, so that health is relatively stabilized. Such stabilization is related in part to improvement in risk factors. Improved health at age 80 seems to be related to selection by the death of the sick, but the concept of true functional improvement at this age is being seriously discussed. Physical, psychological and social bilateral adaptation of both old people and of western society, play important roles, because better medical and social protection improves living conditions. Our data confirm the identification of 2 subpopulations of the elderly, the young-old and the old-old. Study of frailty according to both age and physiological systems gives additional useful information.
Shats
V J
VJ
Geriatric Depts., Rebecca Sieff Government Hospital, Safed and Carmel Hospital, Haifa.
Kozakov
S
S
Kohn
D
D
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity