Chronic diseases and healthy aging

TOPIC

Chronic diseases and aging

Chronic diseases and healthly aging

Chronic diseases (or non-communicable diseases) afflict about 24 million people in Italy. These conditions have an important impact on the quality and life expectancy of the population. These diseases affect all stages of life, although the most frequently affected segments of the population are the elderly (over 85% of people over 75 years of age suffer from chronic diseases) and women, especially after the age of 55.

It is therefore important to improve knowledge on the mechanisms and risk factors that lead to the development of chronic diseases, as well as on the possible strategies and programs for the prevention and treatment of these conditions in order to guarantee a healthy aging of the population.

In this area, the activities of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS, the National Institute of Health in Italy) develop on several fronts; from the study of risk factors for chronic diseases through surveys on the general population, in age of development, adult and elderly, to the identification of new biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the ISS studies the efficacy and safety of new biomedical technologies for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, as well as monitor autoimmune and endocrine-metabolic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases and growth hormone deficiency. The ISS is also engaged in strategies and models of assistance for people with chronic diseases and on the study of the processes that lead to healthy aging, with particular attention to epidemiological aspects and to the evaluation, recovery and maintenance of motor and physical function and sensorial of the elderly. Finally, a workspace is also dedicated to Health Literacy, and to the creation of a system for sharing and standardizing indicators of the health status of the European population and in areas at risk.



Back Studio gemellare su degenerazione valvolare aortica e stress - Studio Silent-Twin

Il Registro Nazionale gemelli ha recentemente avviato un nuovo studio (Silent-Twin) in collaborazione con il Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS di Milano, uno dei più importanti centri cardiologici in Italia e in Europa.

Lo studio si propone di studiare i processi che portano all’ispessimento della valvola aortica (sclerosi valvolare aortica) e al restringimento dell’apertura (stenosi della valvola) che sono causa di un ridotto funzionamento delle valvole. Le valvole cardiache sono strutture che regolano il flusso del sangue all'interno del cuore; la valvola aortica, in particolare, regola il flusso del sangue dal cuore verso il sistema circolatorio. Lo studio è volto a valutare se, nel sangue, esistano sostanze che permettano di riconoscere i pazienti nelle primissime fasi di questa pericolosa malattia. Secondo obiettivo della ricerca è studiare l’associazione tra stress cronico (carico allostatico) e alcuni indicatori di aterosclerosi, tra cui la degenerazione vascolare aortica.

Lo studio è rivolto ai gemelli residenti a Milano e provincia, di entrambi i sessi, di età compresa tra 50 e 70 anni. Lo studio è ancora in corso, chi volesse partecipare può scrivere a registro.nazionale.gemelli@iss.it


Dipartimenti/Centri/Servizi

Center of reference for behavioural sciences and mental health

Topics

Chronic diseases and aging Cardiovascular diseases Mental health Psychological well-being and quality of life