There are many problems in measuring ‘biological’ age rather than chronological age, not least the necessity of demonstrating that this measure has validity in terms of better predicting mortality or morbidity. This review considers nine problems in measuring biological age and attempts to provide a full or partial solution to these difficulties. The problems presented include the fact that different organs age at different rates; biological age depends on the parameters studied; ‘regression dilution bias’ may produce misleading results; the validity of the measurement has to be established; the age range for measures has to be agreed; persons affected by accident or disease may or may not be excluded; accidental deaths may have to be excluded from a study of validation; individuals age at different rates at different times, and the fact that longitudinal data are necessary. The solutions suggested include both the presentation of aging profiles including several systems and the provision of summary statistics; adjusting for ‘regression dilution bias’, and calculating rate of aging from longitudinal studies over different age ranges and in the two sexes separately. It is argued that in this field of research it is well worth confronting the difficulties and extending our body of knowledge by further careful studies.

Keywords:
Biological age, Aging, Environmental influences, Regression dilution bias
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1995 S. Karger AG, Basel
1995
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.