New scientific statement from the Endocrine Society focuses on endocrine-related changes and aging

A new scientific statement released today by the Endocrine Society highlights the differences between aspects of aging that are normal and sometimes over-treated, and those such as menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis that can be treated and deserve more. attention.

“Hormones and Aging: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement,” reviews the current state of research on hormonal changes with age. The statement focuses on common endocrine changes in older adults, including menopause and development of diabetes, osteoporosis and thyroid disorders. The purpose of the statement is to inform future research on the prevention and treatment of age-related endocrine health issues.

Understanding the factors that influence hormonal changes with age and when to correct them is an exciting area of ​​research. The number of older people is increasing worldwide and it is important to preserve their health and quality of life. Differentiating normal age-related health changes from those related to an endocrine condition tells when to treat and, more importantly, when not to treat age-associated symptoms.”

Anne Cappola, MD, Editorial Group Chair, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA

Key points from the statement:

• Menopausal symptoms are common, vary in degree of discomfort, and can be treated effectively with a variety of medications, but these symptoms are still undertreated.

• More research is needed to decide when older adults should receive testosterone replacement therapy and to understand the adverse effects of treatment on heart and prostate disease.

• More data is needed to determine optimal treatment goals in older people with diabetes.

• Often fractures are not recognized as being related to osteoporosis and therefore most elderly patients with a fracture are not treated to prevent their next fracture.

  
  

• Methods to distinguish between age-related changes in thyroid function and early hypothyroidism are needed.

• No therapy to increase growth hormone secretion or action is currently approved as an anti-aging intervention, and the risks may outweigh the benefits.

• Some research has shown benefits of vitamin D supplementation in older adults, but standardized guidelines on appropriate vitamin D levels are lacking.

“The statement explains how symptoms of menopause and osteoporosis are often undertreated in the elderly population despite evidence that treatments are both safe and effective,” Cappola said. “Treating these symptoms and screening for common endocrine conditions that develop or worsen with age could actually improve the quality of life of older adults.”

The authors of the study will present the key findings of the statement today at an ENDO 2023 press conference.

The other authors of the statement are Richard Auchus of the University of Michigan and the LTC Charles S. Kettles Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Ghada El-Hajj Fuleihan of the American University of Beirut in Beirut, Lebanon; David Handelsman of the University of Sydney and Concord Hospital in Sydney, Australia; Rita Kalyani of John Hopkins School of Medical in Baltimore, Md.; Michael McClung of the Oregon Osteoporosis Center in Portland, Oregon and the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, Australia; Cynthia Stuenkel of the University of California San Diego School of Medicine in La Jolla, California; Michael Thorner of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Mass.; and Joseph Verbalis of Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC

The statement, “Hormones and Aging: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement,” was published online in the Society’s journal Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

The Endocrine Society develops scientific statements to explore the scientific basis of hormone-related conditions and diseases, discuss how this knowledge can be applied in practice, and identify areas that require further research. Topics are selected based on their emerging scientific impact. Scientific statements are developed by a working group of experts appointed by the Endocrine Society, with internal review by relevant Society committees and external experts before a comment period open to all Endocrine Society members .