CAG Fighting Frailty in Aging: Biological, Clinical and Social Aspects (AGING)

The absolute and relative increases in the number of older individuals are evident worldwide. In Denmark, it is estimated that the number of older adults over the age of 80 years will be the double in 2050 compared to 2022.

Multimorbidity and disabilities, as well as their associated frailty syndrome, increase with age. The expanding older population, therefore, represent a major challenge for the healthcare systems worldwide. Importantly, frailty holds the potential for reversal during the initial phases, making it an important focus in an ageing society. It often precedes disability, making it crucial to address and restore resilience in individuals at risk. Given its complex nature, managing frailty necessitates a holistic, interdisciplinary approach.

In CAG AGING, we will combine expertise — from physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, epidemiologists, public health scientists, and digital healthcare engineers —to address the complexity of frailty. More specifically, our objectives are to;
1) Improve interventions to prevent, diagnose, treat, and manage frailty through translational
and interdisciplinary research.
2) Develop guidelines for healthcare professionals, health authorities, and stakeholders to
promote evidence-based solutions.
3) Support the delivery of research-driven education and training for pre- and post-graduate
students (e.g. physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists)
4) Foster the development of promising career paths for PhD candidates and postdoctoral scholars.

We strongly believe an interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approach will foster synergy and facilitate knowledge transfer across disciplines and sectors that will lead to the development of more innovative, resilient, and evidence-based solutions. Ultimately, this will enhance the prevention, diagnosis, and management of frailty, which will benefit our healthcare system and the quality of life of older individuals.

In Denmark, it is estimated that the number of adults older than 65 will be 32% higher in 2050 compared to 2022 and the number of older adults over the age of 80 will double. Multimorbidity and disabilities, as well as their associated frailty syndrome, increase with age and the expanding older population, therefore, represent a major challenge for healthcare systems worldwide.

Frailty is a complex and multifactorial syndrome characterised by increased vulnerability to stressors due to declines in physiological reserves and functional capacities. Frailty is distinct from chronological age and is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Frail individuals often experience declines in physical function, including reduced muscle strength, endurance, balance, and mobility. They may have difficulty performing activities of daily living independently and are at increased risk of falls and fractures. Further, malnutrition and weight loss are common in frail individuals, leading to decreased muscle mass, weakness, and fatigue. Poor nutritional status exacerbates frailty, impairing immune function and wound healing. Moreover, frailty is also associated with cerebrovascular disease and cognitive decline.

A higher need for care from informal caregivers and municipal care services is an additional implication of frailty. In summary, being frail increases the risk of adverse health outcomes, including disability, hospitalisation, and mortality, and may have a vast negative impact on quality of life and functional independence. Importantly, frailty holds the potential for reversal during the initial phases, making it an important focus in an ageing society. It often precedes disability, making it crucial to address and restore resilience in individuals at risk.

Given its complex nature, managing frailty necessitates a holistic, interdisciplinary approach, which is one of the main objectives of CAG-AGING. Moreover, several unmet needs must be addressed by a more holistic and interdisciplinary approach to succeed and create value for frail individuals, their families, healthcare professionals, and society. Hence, CAG AGING will
continuously engage with patients and external stakeholders to identify unmet needs from the user’s/patients’ perspective to be addressed by our CAG research program.