| Living longer--but better? | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 12092789 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
The highest attained age has increased by about 20 years since the beginning of the 19th century. In the course of the 1990s, more than ten individuals reached 115 years or more, including Jeanne Calment who attained the age of 122 years. In low-mortality countries, the number of centenarians has doubled every decade since 1950. This dramatic increase was mainly due to periodical effects related to the drastic fall in mortality among the elderly. The fact that centenarians are survivors does not mean that they are healthy. A high prevalence of comorbidity is found, and many centenarians have survived major diseases thanks to medical treatment and surgery. It is, however, possible that the comorbidity is less serious than in younger elderly. Certain personality traits may also be important in surviving health-threatening conditions. Furthermore, a number of biological and cognitive functions seem to be well-preserved in several centenarians. The influence of the apoE-gene and other genes involved in fundamental mechanisms illustrates that with advancing age and increasing mortality even small risks may have a substantial effect on survival to 100 years. A small proportion of long-livers may be considered as relatively autonomous, and this proportion will probably increase in the future. We are living longer and seem to postpone the terminal dependent phase to higher ages. Longevity may thus be perceived as part of our postmodern condition with its mix of pleasure and suffering. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Bernard Jeune |
Related Documents
:
|
7157149 - Mortality and early retirement. 10706839 - The snuffbox arteriovenous fistula for vascular access. 9152469 - Cancer patient survival in the elderly in italy. itacare working group. 11914209 - Cornea procurement from very old donors: post organ culture cornea outcome and recipien... 18321929 - Sex differences in physiological progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. 20443989 - Age-specific response of a migratory bird to an experimental alteration of its habitat. 20527469 - Growth and mortality of the fish citharichthys xanthostigma (pleuronectiformes: paralic... 19012109 - Long-term outcomes of cochlear implantation in the preschool years: from elementary gra... 20671269 - Driving with hemianopia, ii: lane position and steering in a driving simulator. |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article; Review |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Aging clinical and experimental research Volume: 14 ISSN: 1594-0667 ISO Abbreviation: Aging Clin Exp Res Publication Date: 2002 Apr |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2002-07-02 Completed Date: 2002-11-18 Revised Date: 2004-11-17 |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 101132995 Medline TA: Aging Clin Exp Res Country: Italy |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 72-93 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
Institute of Public Health, and Ageing Research Center, University of Southern Denmark, Odense. bjeune@health.sdu.dk |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Aged Aged, 80 and over / statistics & numerical data* Health Status* Humans Longevity* |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Mortality in three different cohorts of 70-year olds: the impact of social factors and health.
Next Document: Circadian temporal organization of lipidic fractions in elderly people. Entrainment to the dietary s...