Understanding Osteoporosis: Pathophysiology, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Management

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and deterioration of bone architecture, resulting in reduced bone strength and, consequently, increased susceptibility to fractures which poses a significant public health concern worldwide, particularly in aging populations [1]. The health-economic impact of vertebral and hip fractures has been extensively explored and it is well known that these fractures are associated with morbidity/disability and increased mortality;they also account for a substantial portion of the direct fracture costs. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of osteoporosis, including its pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnostic approaches, and management strategies. By elucidating the multifaceted nature of this condition, healthcare providers can better identify individuals at risk, implement preventive measures, and optimize treatment to reduce the burden of osteoporotic fractures.

Pan-enteric dysmotility,impaired quality of life and alexithymia in a large group of patients meeting ROMEⅡ criteria for irritable bowel syndrome

AIM:Psychological factors, altered motility and sensation disorders of the intestine can be variably associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Such aspects have not been investigated simultaneously. The aim of this paper was to evaluate gastrointestinal motility and symptoms, psychological spectrum and quality of life in a large group of IBS patients in southern Italy.METHODS: One hundred IBS patients (F:M=73:27, age 48±2 years, mean±SE) fulfilling ROME Ⅱ criteria matched with 100 healthy subjects (F:M=70:30, 45±2 years). Dyspepsia,bowel habit, alexithymia, psycho-affective profile and quality of life were assessed using specific questionnaires. Basally and postprandially, changes in gallbladder volumes and antral areas after liquid meal and orocaecal transit time (OCTT)were measured respectively by ultrasonography and H2-breath test. Appetite, satiety, fullness, nausea, and epigastric pain/discomfort were monitored using visual-analogue scales.RESULTS: Compared with controls, IBS patients had increased dyspepsia (score 12.6±0.7 VS 5.1±0.2, P＜0.0001),weekly bowel movements (12.3±0.4 VS 5.5±0.2, P＜0.00001, comparable stool shape), alexithymia (score 59.11.1 VS40.5±1.0, P=0.001), poor quality of life and psychoaffective profile. IBS patients had normal gallbladderemptying, but delayed gastric emptying (T50:35.5±1.0 VS 26.1±0.6 min, P=0.00001) and OCTT (163.0±5.4 VS96.6±1.8min, P=0.00001). Fullness, nausea, and epigastric pain/discomfort were greater in IBS than in controls.CONCLUSION: ROME Ⅱ IBS patients have a pan-enteric dysmotility with frequent dyspepsia, associated with psychological morbidity and greatly impaired quality of life.The presence of alexithymia, a stable trait, is a novel finding of potential interest to detect subgroups of IBS patients with different patterns recoveed after therapy.

Comparison of presentation and impact on quality of life of gastroesophageal reflux disease between young and old adults in a Chinese population

AIM:To compare the presentation and impact on qual-ity of life of gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)in old and young age groups.METHODS:Data from adult patients with GERD di-agnosed by endoscopic and symptomic characteristics were collected between January and November 2009.Exclusion criteria included combined peptic ulcers,ma-lignancy,prior surgery,antacid medication for more than 2 mo,and pregnancy.Enrolled patients were assigned to the elderly group if they were 65 years or older,or the younger group if they were under 65 years.They had completed the GERD impact scale,the Chinese GERD questionnaire,and the SF-36 question-naire.Data from other cases without endoscopic f ind-ings or symptoms were collected and these subjects comprised the control group in our study.RESULTS:There were 111 patients with GERD and 44 normal cases:78(70.3%)and 33 patients(29.7%)were in the younger and elderly groups,respectively.There were more female patients(60.3%)in the younger group,and more males(72.7%)in the elderly group.The younger cases had more severe and fre-quent typical symptoms than the elderly patients.Sig-nif icantly more impairment of daily activities was noted in the younger patients compared with the elderly group,except for physical functioning.CONCLUSION:Elderly patients with GERD were pre-dominantly male with rare presentation of typical symp-toms,and had less impaired quality of life compared with younger patients in a Chinese population.

Sleep quality improved following a single session of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in older women:Results from a pilot study

Background： Poor sleep quality is associated with adverse effects on health outcomes. It is not clear whether exercise can improve sleep quality and whether intensity of exercise affects any of the effects. Methods： Fifteen healthy, non-obese （body mass index = 24.4 ± 2.1 kg/m^2, mean 4- SD）, sedentary （〈20 min of exercise on no more than 3 times/week） older women （66.1 ± 3.9 years） volunteered for the study. Peak oxygen consumption （VO2peak） was evaluated using a graded exercise test on a treadmill with a metabolic cart. Following a 7-day baseline period, each participant completed two exercise sessions （separated by 1 week） with equal caloric expenditure, but at different intensities （60% and 45% VO2peak, sequence randomized） between 9：00 and 11：00 am. A wrist ActiGraph monitor was used to assess sleep at baseline and two nights following each exercise session. Results： The average duration of the exercise was 54 and 72 rain, respectively at 60% （moderate-intensity） and 45% VO2peak （light-intensity）. Wake time after sleep onset was significantly shorter （p = 0.016）, the number of awakenings was less （p = 0.046）, and total activity counts were lower （p = 0.05） after the moderate-intensity exercise compared to baseline no-exercise condition. Conclusion： Our data showed that a single moderate-intensity aerobic exercise session improved sleep quality in older women.

Obesity is an important determinant of severity in newly defined metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease

Background: The recently proposed definition of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD) is based on the co-existence of hepatic steatosis with other metabolic disorders, including obesity and metabolic risk abnormalities such as hyperglycemia, high blood pressure and dyslipidemia. This study aimed to assess MAFLD severity according to the presence of metabolic abnormalities and obesity. Methods: Using transient elastography, hepatic steatosis and fibrosis severity were assessed by measuring the controlled attenuation parameter and liver stiffness measurement. A total of 1163 patients with MAFLD were categorized into the following four groups according to metabolic risk abnormalities and obesity presence: non-obese without metabolic risk abnormality group(Group 1;reference group);nonobese with metabolic risk abnormality group(Group 2);obese without metabolic risk abnormality group(Group 3);and obese with metabolic risk abnormality group(Group 4). A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine severe hepatic steatosis and fibrosis risk in each group in both unadjusted and adjusted models. Results: In the adjusted model, the odds ratios(ORs) [95% confidence interval(CI)] for severe hepatic steatosis in Groups 2, 3, and 4 were 1.07(0.61-1.88), 2.43(1.44-4.08), and 4.07(2.56-6.48), respectively( P trend < 0.001). For liver fibrosis, compared with Group 1, Group 2 showed no significant increases in OR, whereas Groups 3 and 4(obese groups) showed significant increases(OR = 4.70, 95% CI: 1.24-17.82 and OR = 6.43, 95% CI: 1.88-22.02, respectively). Conclusions: Obesity, rather than metabolic abnormality, is the principal determinant of severe hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with MAFLD.

Underutilization of palliative care services in the liver transplant population

AIM To evaluate use of palliative care services in patients with end-stage liver disease who do not have access to liver transplant.METHODS Evaluated were end-stage liver disease patients who were removed from the liver transplant wait-list or died prior to transplant at a single transplant center over a 2-year period. Those who were removed due to noncompliance or ultimately transplanted elsewhere were excluded from this study. Patient characteristics associated with palliative care consultation were assessed using logistic regression analysis.RESULTS Six hundred and eighty-three patients were listed for liver transplant in 2013-2014 with 107(16%) dying(n = 62) or removed for clinical decompensation prior to liver transplant(n = 45): Median age was 58 years, and the majority were male(66%), Caucasian(53%), had Child C cirrhosis(61%) or hepatocellular carcinoma(52%). The palliative care team was consulted in only 18 of the 107 patients(17%) who died or were removed, 89% of which occurred as inpatients. Half of these consultations occurred within 72 h of death. In univariable analysis, patients of younger age, white race, and higher end-stage liver disease scores at time of listing and delisting were more likely to receive palliative care services. Only younger age [Odds ratio(OR) = 0.92; P = 0.02] and Caucasian race(OR = 4.90; P = 0.02) were still associated with integration of palliative care services through multivariable analysis.CONCLUSION Palliative care services are grossly underutilized in older, non-white patients with cirrhosis on the liver transplant wait-list. We encourage early integration of these services into clinical decision-making in the transplant population, with further studies aimed at understanding barriers to consultation.

Prevalence and associated factors of hospitalization for dysglycemia among elderly type 2 diabetes patients: A nationwide study

BACKGROUND The prevalence of older individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing due to the aging population and improved medical care. These patients are very susceptible to disease and treatment-related hospitalizations, resulting in higher health care costs, morbidity, and decreased quality of life. However, data of treatment-related complications, especially dysglycemiarelated hospitalizations, are lacking. AIM To assess the prevalence and associated factors for dysglycemia-related hospitalizations among elderly diabetic patients in Thailand using nationwide patient sample. METHODS T2DM patients aged ≥ 65 years who received medical care at public hospitals in Thailand in the year 2014 were included. The prevalence of hospitalization due to dysglycemia within one year was examined. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the independent factors associated with hospitalization due to hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia RESULTS A total of 11404 elderly T2DM patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 72.9 ± 5.5 years. The prevalence of hospital admissions due to diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, hyperglycemic dehydration syndrome, and hypoglycemia among elderly T2DM patients in the year 2014 was 0.1%, 0.1%, 1.7% and 3.1%, respectively. Increased hospitalization due to hypoglycemia was associated with older age, female sex, had hypertension, dementia, lower body mass index, elevated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), decreased kidney function, insulin use. Increased hospitalization due to hyperglycemia was associated with dementia, depression, lower body mass index, elevated HbA1C, and insulin use. CONCLUSION The prevalence of dysglycemia-related hospitalization in elderly T2DM patients in Thailand was 4.9%. Close monitoring of blood glucose should be provided in high-risk patients for prevention and early detection for these complications.

Utility of electrophysiological studies to predict arrhythmic events

AIM:To evaluate the prognostic value of electrophysiological stimulation(EPS) in the risk stratification for tachyarrhythmic events and sudden cardiac death(SCD).METHODS:We conducted a prospective cohort study and analyzed the long-term follow-up of 265 consecutive patients who underwent programmed ventricular stimulation at the Luzerner Kantonsspital(Lucerne,Switzerland) between October 2003 and April 2012. Patients underwent EPS for SCD risk evaluation because of structural or functional heart disease and/or electrical conduction abnormality and/or after syncope/cardiac arrest. EPS was considered abnormal,if a sustained ventricular tachycardia(VT) was inducible. The primary endpoint of the study was SCD or,in implanted patients,adequate ICD-activation.RESULTS:During EPS,sustained VT was induced in 125 patients(47.2%) and non-sustained VT in 60 patients(22.6%); in 80 patients(30.2%) no arrhythmia could be induced. In our cohort,153 patients(57.7%) underwent ICD implantation after the EPS. During follow-up(mean duration 4.8 ± 2.3 years),a primary endpoint event occurred in 49 patients(18.5%). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUROC) was 0.593(95%CI:0.515-0.670) for a left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) < 35% and 0.636(95%CI:0.563-0.709) for inducible sustained VT during EPS. The AUROC of EPS was higher in the subgroup of patients with LVEF ≥ 35%(0.681,95%CI:0.578-0.785). Cox regression analysis showed that both,sustained VT during EPS(HR:2.26,95%CI:1.22-4.19,P = 0.009) and LVEF < 35%(HR:2.00,95%CI:1.13-3.54,P = 0.018) were independent predictors of primary endpoint events.CONCLUSION:EPS provides a benefit in risk stratificationfor future tachyarrhythmic events and SCD and should especially be considered in patients with LVEF ≥ 35%.

Foundations of medical decision-making for older adults with cardiovascular disease

In order to help older adults with cardiovascular disease navigate complex decisions, clinicians must know tenets of medical ethics and have good communication skills. The elements of decision making capacity and informed consent are reviewed, using relevant clinical ex- amples to illustrate the basic concepts. The shared decision making model, by which clinician and patient work together to determine the plan of care, is described. Useful communication techniques to implement shared decision making are suggested.

Content of nursing discharge notes: Associations with patient and transfer characteristics

Background: In situations of care transfer of older people from hospital to home care at discharge, exchanging relevant and necessary information about the patient’s health status and individual needs are of importance to ensure continuity and appropriate nursing follow-up care. Objective: The objectives of the study were to: 1) examine the content of nurses’ discharge notes of older patients’ discharged from hospital to home care, and 2) investigate the association between the content of discharge notes and characteristics of patient and transfer. Methods: The nursing discharge notes of 70 older patients admitted to a geriatric unit and a general medicine ward at a local hospital in central Norway were analysed. The discharge notes were structured in accordance with the Well-being, Integrity, Prevention, and Safety (VIPS) model. Mean, standard deviations, and independent sample t-tests were performed to show and examine differences in use of VIPS keywords in relation to patient and transfer characteristics. To examine if use of VIPS keywords could be predicted by patient and transfer characteristics, linear multiple regression analyses were used. Results: Significant differences for mean scores on used VIPS keywords in the discharge note were found for gender, age, and medical department facility. While gender and medical department facility were significant predictors of mental related keywords in the discharge note, medical department facility was a significant predictor of physical related keywords. Conclusions: The result of this study indicate that documentation of patient status in the nursing discharge note of older patients transferred from hospital to home care is incomplete and are influenced by patient and transfer characteristics. In order to ensure continuity and appropriate nursing follow-up care, we emphasize the need for a more comprehensive approach to older patients, and that this must be reflected in the nursing discharge note.

Number of medications is associated with outcomes in the elderly patient with metabolic syndrome

Background The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome indicates a clustering of metabolic imbalances which in sum have been recognized as a major predictor of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the level of under-pharmacy and poly-pbarmacy and its prognostic impact in elderly patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods Retrospective chart-review at a tertiary medical center, of 324 patients greater than 65 years of age who met the International Diabetes Foundation criteria for metabolic syndrome diagnosis [Body Mass Index （BMI） 〉 30 kg/m2, diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia]. Results There were 60 （18.5%） patients in the low （〈 5） medication burden group, 159 （49.1%） in the medium （〉 5 and 〈 10） medication burden group, and 105 （32.4%） in the high （〉 10） medication burden group. At baseline, the groups differed only by systolic blood pressure. At two years follow-up, the medium group had significantly better improvement in high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）, low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）, HbAlc, and systolic blood pressure compared to the low medication burden group and significantly better improvement in triglycerides, Haemoglobin Alc （HbAlc） and systolic blood pressure compared to the high medication group. Decrease in HDL-C was the only variable associated with strokes. High medication burden predicted hospitalization burden. The number of anti-hypertensives, history of tobacco use, low and high medication burdens and decrease in HDL-C were all associated with death. Conclusions Both poly-pharmacy and under-pharmacy are associated with a decreased therapeutic benefit among patients with metabolic syndrome in terms of important laboratory measurements as well as clinical outcomes such as myocardial infarctions, hospitalization, and death.

Functional Contentment Model: Optimizing Quality of Life for Nursing Home Residents with Dementia

The Functional Contentment Model (FCM) attains two objectives: 1) building a relationship focused plan of care for nursing home residents diagnosed with dementia;and 2) maximizing and maintaining older adults’ contentment, peace, and happiness while living in dementia care environments. There are three essential components within the FCM: 1) Person/Family Centered Care;2) Slow Medicine;and 3) Team Care Management. The principles of “Person/Family-Centered Care” are coupled with the philosophy of “Slow Medicine,” and neither can exist without the engagement of “Team Care Management.” In short, the FCM maximizes the older adult’s potential functioning in activities of daily living, cognition, gross and fine motor skills, communication, and physical well-being, while maintaining the highest possible level of contentment, peace, and happiness. This is accomplished through dynamically utilized professional modalities adapted to the changing needs of the older adult resident—pharmacologic, physical and occupational therapies, family education and involvement, dietary, spiritual, stimulating activities, as well as any individualized modality. The lead for operationalizing the Functional Contentment Model is the nursing home medical director, whose key role is assuring a team approach to care including the older adult resident, the family, and all staff (dietary, housekeeping maintenance as well as care and administrative staff). The FCM is a culture change model that has implications in practice and policy for each nursing home.

Giant cell arteritis in a patient with fever of unknown origin

Fever of unknown (FUO) origin challenging clinical condition. The causes of FUO are diverse: possible etiologies include infectious diseases, chronic granulomatous diseases, malignity, connective tissue disorders and vasculitis. Giant cell arteritis which affects the aorta and its main branches, contributes up to 17% of cases with fever of unknown origin above age 50. There is increasing evidence for a role for18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of vasculitis and18F-FDG PET/CT is a useful technic for evaluation of the FUO. Clinical studies show that FDG-PET is a useful diagnostic aid in obscure cases of fever of unknown origin. We report here a case of a 54-year-old woman who present to our clinic with FUO due to giant cell vasculitis.

Ultrasound-assessed non-culprit and culprit coronary vessels differ by age and gender

AIM: To investigate age-and gender-related differences in non-culprit versus culprit coronary vessels assessed with virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS). METHODS: In 390 patients referred for coronary angiography to a single center (Luzerner Kantonsspital, Switzerland) between May 2007 and January 2011, 691 proximal vessel segments in left anterior descending, circumflex and/or right coronary arteries were imaged by VH-IVUS. Plaque burden and plaque composition(fibrous, fibro-fatty, necrotic core and dense calcium volumes) were analyzed in 3 age tertiles, according to gender and separated for vessels containing non-culprit or culprit lesions. To classify as vessel containing a culprit lesion, the patient had to present with an acute coronary syndrome, and the VH-IVUS had to be performed in a vessel segment containing the culprit lesion according to conventional coronary angiography. RESULTS: In non-culprit vessels the plaque burden increased significantly with aging (in men from 37% ± 12% in the lowest to 46% ± 10% in the highest age tertile, P < 0.001; in women from 30% ± 9% to 40% ± 11%, P < 0.001); men had higher plaque burden than women at any age (P < 0.001 for each of the 3 age tertiles). In culprit vessels of the lowest age tertile, plaque burden was significantly higher than that in non- culprit vessels (in men 48% ± 6%, P < 0.001 as compared to non-culprit vessels; in women 44% ± 18%, P = 0.004 as compared to non-culprit vessels). Plaque burden of culprit vessels did not significantly change during aging (plaque burden in men of the highest age tertile 51% ± 9%, P = 0.523 as compared to lowest age tertile; in women of the highest age tertile 49% ± 8%, P = 0.449 as compared to lowest age tertile). In men, plaque morphology of culprit vessels became increasingly rupture-prone during aging (increasing percentages of necrotic core and dense calcium), whereas plaque morphology in non-culprit vessels was less rupture-prone and remained constant during aging. In women, necrotic core in non-culprit vessels was very low at young age, but increased during aging resulting in a plaque morphology that was very similar to men. Plaque morphology in culprit vessels of young women and men was similar. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that age-and gender-related differences in plaque burden and plaque composition significantly depend on whether the vessel contained a non-culprit or culprit lesion.

Approach to Helicobacter pylori infection in geriatric population

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection and its complications increase with age. The majority of infected individuals remain asymptomatic throughout the life but 10%-20% develops peptic ulcer disease and 1% gastric malignancies. The incidence of ulcers and their complications are more common in the older population resulting in higher hospitalization and mortality rates. The increased use of medications causing gastric mucosal damage and the decreased secretion of protective prostaglandins in elderly are major factors increasing gastric mucosal sensitivity to the destructive effects of H. pylori. Due to higher prevalence of gastrointestinal(GI) malignancies,upper GI endoscopy is mostly preferred in elderly for the diagnosis of infection. Therefore,"endoscopy and treat" strategy may be more appropriate instead of "test and treat" strategy for dyspeptic patients in older age. Urea breath test and stool antigen test can be used for control of eradication,except for special cases requiring follow-up with endoscopy. The indications for treatment and suggested eradication regimens are similar with other age groups; however,the eradication failure may be a more significant problem due to high antibiotic resistance and low compliance rate in elderly. Multidrug usage and drug interactions should always be consid-ered before starting the treatment. This paper reviews briefly the epidemiology,diagnosis,disease manifesta-tions,and treatment options of H. pylori in the geriatric population.

Cardiovascular physiology in the older adults

1 Introduction In an aging society with persistent high prevalence of cardiovascular disease （CVD） in the elderly population, the health care system is facing an increasing challenge to effectively care for these patients. However, due to the under-representation of CVD patients over 75 years of age in clinical trials, assessing safety and efficacy of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, the evidence for managing elderly CVD patients is especially limited. Physiological changes of aging intertwined with pathophysiology of CVD, and comorbid conditions often complicate clinical management.

Life threatening vitamin B_(12) deficiency:will timely screening make a difference?

INTRODUCTION While Vit.B12 deficiency is common,with aprevalence of about 15% in the elderly,andrecommendations for treatment available,detectionof deficiency at the pre-clinical stage by appropriatescreening does not always take place.Our report isan example of life threatening Vit.B12 deficiencydiagnosed at age 56,with the onset of Vit.B12depletion likely to have begun in the

Low DHEAS levels are associated with depressive symptoms in elderly Chinese men： results from a large study

This study investigated the association between depressive symptoms in elderly Chinese men and the total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone （DHEA）, DHEA sulphate （DHEAS）, oestradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin （SHBG） levels, and the free androgen index. Cross-sectional data from 1147 community-dwelling elderly men, aged 65 and older, were used. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Chinese Geriatric Depression Scale （GDS）. Total testosterone, free testosterone, DHEA, DHEAS, total oestradiol, the free androgen index and SHBG levels were assessed. DHEA was significantly associated with GDS score, and there was a trend towards DHEAS association, but this was not significant （p=-0. 110, P=0.015; p=-0.074, P=0.055）. However, no association was seen between depressive symptoms and total testosterone levels, free testosterone levels, oestradiol levels or SHBG levels. In terms of the presence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms, there were no statistically significant differences between patients in the lowest quartile of sex steroid hormone levels and those in other quartiles of sex steroid hormone levels. Similarly to Western studies, our study shows that DHEA and DHEAS levels are associated with depressive symptoms.

Clinical pharmacology relevant to older adults with cardiovascular disease

1 Introduction Although older adults are generally among the highest users of cardiovascular medications, they are typically underrepresented or excluded from most efficacy and safety trials. Drug developers are usually reluctant to include many senior adults in randomized controlled clinical trials in part due to their high prevalence of multiple comorbidities, frailty, and polypharmacy; and to age-related pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic complexities. Consequently, there is often insufficient high quality evidence-based data to inform pharmacologic management of common cardiovascular conditions on older adults. In the absence of data, clinicians often rely on conceptual principles regarding metabolism and drug-drug interactions to minimize adverse drug events, but this is often not well-substantiated or standardized. A related challenge is poor cardiovascular medication adherence among older adults, and its detrimental impact on their health outcomes. In this brief review we highlight some aspects of these topics.

过度肥胖、热量限制与衰老

肥胖是公共卫生领域的一大难题。在本期JAMA杂志中，Ogden等报告了2003年至2004年美国卫生与营养调查（National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey，NHANES）结果。结果显示，在美国，大约有66％的成人存在超重或肥胖现象，有17％的儿童出现超重。研究人员对1999年至2004年的NHANES资料进行分析后发现，超重儿童（2—19）岁）以及肥胖男性的比例有所增加；女性虽不至于此，但其出现重度肥胖的几率几乎是男性的2倍。过度肥胖是一个很复杂的问题，它与胰岛素抵抗、血脂代谢障碍、轻度炎症反应、生长因子及其他激素（参与糖尿病、动脉粥样硬化及某些肿瘤的形成）变化等均有关乙。此外，越来越多的证据表明，肥胖可加速衰老过程。