Op4003:ageing&disease Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is ageing?
Ageing is NOT a pathological process.
Ageing is a natural process that occurs in all living organisms.
How does ageing relate to pathology?
The ageing process can increase the risk of pathology, and pathology can enhance the ageing process.
This relationship highlights the interaction between ageing and disease.
How many theories describe the underlying effects of ageing?
Between 30 - 300 theories.
This range indicates the complexity and ongoing research in understanding ageing.
What is the generally accepted maximum human lifespan?
120 years.
This figure represents the upper limit observed in human longevity.
Who is the oldest verified person and what was their lifespan?
Jeanne Calment (122 years, 164 days).
Jeanne Calment’s age at death remains a record.
What was the life expectancy for males in the UK in 1900?
44 years.
Life expectancy has significantly increased over the past century.
What was the life expectancy for females in the UK in 1900?
48 years.
The difference in life expectancy between genders reflects historical health disparities.
What was the life expectancy for males in the UK in 2015-17?
79.2 years.
This increase illustrates advancements in healthcare and living conditions.
What was the life expectancy for females in the UK in 2015-17?
82.9 years.
Continued improvements in health outcomes contribute to longer life spans.
What is the aetiology of a disease?
The cause of the disease.
Understanding aetiology is crucial for developing effective treatments.
What is a risk factor for a disease?
Something that increases the chances of an outcome (developing the disease, disease progression).
Identifying risk factors aids in prevention and management strategies.
Give examples of risk factors.
Age, lifestyle choices, socioeconomic factors, other health conditions, gender, environmental factors, education, etc.
These factors can vary widely among different populations.
What is reliability in the context of a diagnostic test?
If you repeat the test under the same conditions, do you get the same result?
Reliability is essential for consistent patient diagnosis.
What is validity in the context of a diagnostic test?
Does your test measure what you want it to measure?
Validity ensures that the test results are applicable to the clinical scenario.
Define sensitivity in the context of a diagnostic test.
Will it correctly identify patients with abnormal results?
High sensitivity reduces the chances of false negatives.
Define specificity in the context of a diagnostic test.
Will it correctly identify patients with normal results?
High specificity minimizes false positives.
