Researchers have found that a biological age metric called PhenoAge can predict higher mortality risk after surgery in older adults. This metric uses machine learning to analyze various biological data, such as blood chemistry and imaging, to estimate an individual’s biological age. The study highlights that people with a PhenoAge significantly higher than their chronological age face increased risks during and after surgical procedures. This is particularly relevant as surgery can be a common yet risky option for older adults.

For those looking to age well, understanding your biological age could be crucial. The research involved over 430,000 surgical patients from the UK, USA, and South Korea, revealing that individuals classified as “Fast Agers” had a 49% higher risk of mortality compared to “Normal Agers.” PhenoAge was shown to be a strong predictor of not only one-year mortality but also major cardiovascular events and readmissions within 30 days of surgery. This suggests that assessing biological age may provide better insights into surgical resilience than relying solely on chronological age.

The findings are based on a large international study, which strengthens the evidence for using PhenoAge in clinical settings. However, while the results are promising, they still require further validation in diverse populations and settings. Understanding how biological age affects surgical outcomes could lead to more personalized and safer surgical care for older adults.

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