The aging population--is there a role for endocrine interventions?
The expected increase in the aging population will have a significant impact on society and the health system in the coming years and decades. Enhancing healthspan, "healthy aging", and thus extending the time that the elderly are able to function independently is a significant task and is imperative. Age-dependent changes such as weight loss, sarcopenia and anorexia, which contribute to the development of frailty in the elderly are discussed. The role of the age-dependent decrease in growth hormone secretion in this process and the potential benefits and risks of hormonal interventions to delay, prevent or reverse frailty in the elderly are reviewed.
Nass
Ralf
R
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 801411, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. RMN9A@virginia.edu
Johannsson
Gudmundur
G
Christiansen
Jens S
JS
Kopchick
John J
JJ
Thorner
Michael O
MO
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000855:Anorexia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015992:Body Mass Index; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002100:Cachexia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects*; D016330:Frail Elderly; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000502:physiology; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011788:Quality of Life; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D054439:Ghrelin; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D014807:Vitamin D; D013739:Testosterone