The global share of older people, aged 60 years or older increased from 9.2% in 1990
to 11.7% in 2013 and will continue to grow as a proportion of the world population,
reaching 21.1% by 2050.[1]
Approximately, one in four deaths worldwide is attributable to stroke or ischemic
heart disease. Stroke is the leading cause of disability. Venous thromboembolic disease,
pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis, contributes substantially to the global
burden of disease. The incidence of arterial and venous thrombosis increases with
age.[2] Given the aging of the population, the impact of thrombotic disorders worldwide
is expected to increase dramatically. Likewise, the risk of bleeding in the older
population is also higher.
This issue of Seminars in Thrombosis & Hemostasis is devoted to aging and the perturbations that occur with aging that may account
for the increased risk for both thrombosis and hemorrhage. To begin with, Favaloro
et al[3] reviewed the hemostatic markers that are measurable in most clinical hemostasis
laboratories, with age-related changes in both the procoagulant and anticoagulant
factors, with additional discussions on the need for potential age-adjusted normal
ranges. This is well illustrated in D-dimer testing as a means for predicting the
recurrence of venous thrombosis, and is extensively reviewed in the next article by
Lippi et al.[4] Among those hemostasis factors affected most by age-related changes is the increase
in von Willebrand factor. The implications of such changes on the risk of thrombosis
and in the treatment of von Willebrand disease are therefore discussed by Konkle.[5]
One of the often underrecognized modulators of hemostasis and an important pathogenic
factor in vascular diseases is plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1). Recently,
PAI-1was found to have a role in senescence. Eren et al provide both the background
and genetic basis of the association between PAI-1 and senescence and further demonstrate
how PAI-1 knockout can restore the shortened life span of the Klotho (kl/kl) mice.[6] The changes in PAI-1 expression with aging and elevated PAI-1 in several age-related
pathologies including malignancies, insulin resistance, inflammation, and stress are
then reviewed by Yamamoto et al.[7] These authors also provided findings showing how increased PAI-1 contributes to
the progression of aging by promoting fibrosis and thrombosis.
Platelets, likewise, undergo changes with aging. Among these changes is the decreased
antiaggregation response to nitric oxide, a phenomenon described by Procter et al.[8] Their article is followed by a discussion by Schlaudecker and Becker of the increased
inflammatory responses in aging contributing to the elevated thrombophilia.[9]
The remaining part of this issue is devoted to situations seen in the clinical practice
in the aging population, starting with a review by Cunningham et al of the role of
thrombogenic microparticles in autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis,
systemic sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus affecting older individuals.[10] Next is the discussion by McMahon and Kwaan on the increased hazards in the older
patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Older adults are also more often taking
multiple drugs and are at higher risk for drug-induced thrombocytopenia.[11] Anticoagulants are more often used in older than in younger individuals and their
administration poses a greater risk as well, as pointed out by Ko and Hylek.[12] Another important but often forgotten aspect in maintaining good health in aging
is the quality of nutrition, ably reviewed by Dawson and Axford.[13] The last, but not the least, article was provided by Ichinose on acquired factor
XIII/13 deficiency as an uncommon autoimmune disorder more often seen in older individuals
than in the young, likely another manifestation of immunosenescense.[14]
Advances in our basic understanding of these age-related changes will help to improve
interventions for this increased vulnerability as we age. Elucidating clinical patterns
and environmental triggers that compound these risks will augment efforts to translate
discovery to the bedside. We trust that our readers will be as excited as we are in
exploring these efforts.
