Clinical Trials Targeting Aging and Age-Related Multimorbidity

Overview

Journal J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2017 Apr 2

PMID 28364543

Citations 42

Authors

Mark A Espeland

Eileen M Crimmins

Brandon R Grossardt

Jill P Crandall

Jonathan A L Gelfond

Tamara B Harris

Stephen B Kritchevsky

JoAnn E Manson

Jennifer G Robinson

Walter A Rocca

Marinella Temprosa

Fridtjof Thomas

Robert Wallace

Nir Barzilai

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: There is growing interest in identifying interventions that may increase health span by targeting biological processes underlying aging. The design of efficient and rigorous clinical trials to assess these interventions requires careful consideration of eligibility criteria, outcomes, sample size, and monitoring plans.

Methods: Experienced geriatrics researchers and clinical trialists collaborated to provide advice on clinical trial design.

Results: Outcomes based on the accumulation and incidence of age-related chronic diseases are attractive for clinical trials targeting aging. Accumulation and incidence rates of multimorbidity outcomes were developed by selecting at-risk subsets of individuals from three large cohort studies of older individuals. These provide representative benchmark data for decisions on eligibility, duration, and assessment protocols. Monitoring rules should be sensitive to targeting aging-related, rather than disease-specific, outcomes.

Conclusions: Clinical trials targeting aging are feasible, but require careful design consideration and monitoring rules.

Citing Articles

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