Aim. To evaluate the survival rates of subjects aged 95 and over after a follow-up period of 36-months and estimate predictive factors for mortality risk.

Materials and methods. 82 centenarians were included in a prospective cohort study. At the first visit, social-demographic, functional, emotional, and cognitive status were evaluated. During the next visit, instrumental and laboratory tests were done, including echo-cardiograph, ultra-sound of the carotid and femoral arteries, and measurements of the arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity and index augmentation). After the 36 months, the patients who died were compared with the rest.

Results. 44 deaths (63,8%) were recorded during the follow-up period. The independent risk factors for mortality were anemia, low level of functional and cognitive status. The heart's structural and functional changes (ejection fraction below 60% and end-diastolic size of the right ventricular above 2,7 cm) were independently associated with long-term mortality. Besides, independence and functional nutritional status are associated with a good prognosis.

Conclusion. In the older old group (95 years and above), low functional, cognitive, and nutritional status are associated with poor prognosis.

Arterial hypertension and obesity are well-established cardiovascular risk factors, but their impact on major geriatric syndromes in individuals over 60 is not well understood. The association between hypertension, obesity, and the development of frailty, sarcopenia, and cognitive impairment varies depending on age. As individuals age, the impact of cardiovascular factors on geriatric syndromes decreases or becomes less significant. This hypothesis is supported by a number of studies on centenarians. The review also examines the impact of hypertension and obesity on prognosis in older individuals.

Relevance. The analysis of numerous data from clinical studies over the last decades has revealed regularities between certain clinical parameters and patient age. The correspondence between certain indicators characteristic of different age groups has made it possible to differentiate between biological age and chronological age. These observations have led to the development of tools for calculating biological age such as biological age calculators and aging clocks. If the biological age is lower than the chronological age, it indicates that the aging process is lower in a given individual, and vice versa. Biological age calculators are used in clinics to adjust treatment plans. The results of these calculations will eventually lead to their introduction into clinical practice and may also influence the social status of patients as a method for checking compliance with retirement age regulations. This may lead to changes in the structure of the state's healthcare costs. The relevance of developing and using of biological age and aging clock calculators is due to the increasing proportion of older people each year. The development of medicine and the emergence of new approaches to prolonging active longevity and fighting age-related diseases slows down the aging process and reduces biological age in relation to passport age. Biologic age calculator could later be introduced into clinical practice as a tool to determine true (biological) age in order to provide appropriate treatment for patients. Social significance may lie in adjusting retirement age and extending labor activity. Aim. The aim of the paper is to assess the impact of introducing tools such as biological age calculator and aging clock into the daily practice of health care institutions, on the economic burden of healthcare and budgetary savings.

Materials and methods. Foreign and domestic sources containing information of economic nature on the impact of active longevity and life expectancy extension on socio-economic indicators were used in the preparation of this publication.

Results. The introduction of biological age calculators in medical institutions has a significant impact on economic indicators and the efficiency of health care. Generally, research results confirm that the use of biological age calculators leads to improved performance in terms of economic indicators, reduced costs, increased efficiency, and improved quality of patient care in medical practice.

Conclusion. The use of biological age calculators has a significant impact on the economy. They help to plan health-saving programmes and reduce medical costs, which improves public health, labour productivity, and reduces social costs, while improving the quality of life for the population.

Original article published in BMJ 2010;340:c869. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.c869

Translation prepared by: Esenbekova E.E., Grishina M.S., Eruslanova K.A.

Overwhelming evidence shows the quality of reporting of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) is not optimal. Without transparent reporting, readers cannot judge. the reliability and validity of trial findings nor extract information for systematic reviews. Recent methodological analyses indicate that inadequate reporting and design are associated with biased estimates of treatment effects. Such systematic error is seriously damaging to RCTs, which are considered the gold standard for evaluating interventions because of their ability to minimise or avoid bias. A group of scientists and editors developed the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) statement to improve the quality of reporting of RCTs. Many leading medical journals and major international editorial groups have endorsed the CONSORT statement. The СONSORT statement facilitates critical appraisal and interpretation of RCTs. In this issue we publish the first part of the translation of the CONSORT document.