Research into ageing and frailty

Gordon, Adam L; Witham, Miles D; Henderson, Emily J; Harwood, Rowan H; Masud, Tahir

Abstract

Research into ageing covers opportunities and challenges posed by an older population, and research to understand the ageing processes across the lifespan. The evidence base for Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is well established and efforts should now shift to understanding how to implement its principles across different healthcare contexts. Research around syndromes common in older people has progressed with variable success; while effective therapies for falls and cognitive impairment have been identified, older people with advanced frailty have commonly been excluded from Parkinson's disease and continence research. Research to understand the mechanisms of ageing has potential to mitigate against or treat emerging sarcopenia and cognitive impairment, and thus modify frailty trajectories. Pharmacogenetics could individualise therapeutics to reduce polypharmacy. These issues can only be addressed with development of infrastructure, capacity and expertise in ageing research. Commonly used research methodologies must be adapted to take account of frailty, cognitive impairment and functional dependency.

Citation

Gordon, A. L., Witham, M. D., Henderson, E. J., Harwood, R. H., & Masud, T. (2021). Research into ageing and frailty. Future Healthcare Journal, 8(2), e237-e242. https://doi.org/10.7861/fhj.2021-0088

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 18, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jul 16, 2021
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jul 22, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 2, 2022
• Journal: Future Healthcare Journal
• Print ISSN: 2514-6645
• Electronic ISSN: 2514-6653
• Publisher: Royal College of Physicians
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 2
• Pages: e237-e242
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.7861/fhj.2021-0088
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5812497
• Publisher URL: https://www.rcpjournals.org/content/futurehosp/8/2/e237/
• Additional Information: © Royal College of Physicians 2021. All rights reserved