The Age Illusion — Limitations of Chronologic Age in Medicine

Back to news list

Source: NEJM

Original: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2516973?af=R&rss=currentIssue...

Published: 2026-03-28T11:30:00Z

of the article "The Age Illusion — Limitations of Chronological Age in Medicine" from the New England Journal of Medicine: The article discusses the limitations of using chronological age as the sole indicator in medicine. Chronological age may not accurately reflect an individual's biological age and health status. The authors emphasize that physiological changes and diseases can be significantly different in people of the same age. Other factors, such as functional status, comorbidities, and genetic predisposition, should be considered when deciding on treatment and prognosis. They point to the need for an individualized approach to patients that takes into account the complex interaction between age, health and lifestyle. The article suggests that relying solely on chronological age can lead to incorrect health care decisions. Emphasis is placed on the importance of a holistic assessment of the patient, which goes beyond simple age data.