Researchers have found a new way to better estimate the risk of death after surgery in older people. They use a so-called ‘aging clock’ for this. This is a smart method that uses various biological data to predict how fast someone is actually aging, regardless of their chronological age.
One of these clocks is called PhenoAge and measures ‘biological age’ using information from blood tests and other health signals. Recent research shows that when this clock indicates a higher age than the actual age, the risk of complications following surgery increases significantly. This means that not everyone of the same age has the same risk; biological age provides a better picture of physical condition.
Operations are particularly risky at an older age, but that is mainly due to physical condition and how well the body functions. Biological age may help doctors to better assess who needs to be extra cautious or requires more intensive aftercare. That can contribute to safer operations and better decisions surrounding medical treatments.
This research aligns with a growing interest in “longevity”, or living healthily for longer. By better understanding how the body ages, we can not only reduce risks, but also find ways to slow down ageing. In this way, this new clock contributes to better care for older people.
Source: Reason
