Work

Biological age in critical care: current evidence, future prospects, and clinical implications

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Accurate assessment of critically ill patients is essential for informing treatment decisions and predicting outcomes. While chronological age-defined by the number of years lived-is commonly used in clinical practice, it does not necessarily capture a patient's true physiological status. In contrast, biological age, which reflects genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, offers a more precise indicator of overall health. Emerging evidence supports its potential as a robust predictor of mortality, intensive care readmission, and disease severity in conditions such as sepsis and respiratory failure. Notably, unlike the linear progression of chronological age, biological age can fluctuate in response to acute stress and may revert to lower levels if the patient's condition improves. This dynamic property underscores the utility of biological age in guiding invasive procedures, refining medication strategies, and optimizing nutrition and rehabilitation. The present study provides an overview of the definitions and methods used to calculate biological age, examines its current applications in critical care, and discusses its prospective roles in intensive care unit.

Source: Frontiers in Medicine

DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1686899

Authors: Li-bing Jiang, Wen Han

Institutions: Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University

Language: English

Topic: Sepsis Diagnosis and Treatment

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801