Classifying Aging as a Disease in the context of ICD-11

Alex Zhavoronkov; Bhupinder Bhullar

doi:10.1101/024877

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bioRxiv · 10.1101/024877

Classifying Aging as a Disease in the context of ICD-11

Alex Zhavoronkov·Bhupinder Bhullar

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Abstract

Aging is a complex continuous multifactorial process leading to loss of function and crystalizing into the many age-related diseases. Here, we explore the arguments for classifying aging as a disease in the context of the upcoming World Health Organizations 11th International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), expected to be finalized in 2018. We hypothesize that classifying aging as a disease will result in new approaches and business models for addressing aging as a treatable condition, which will lead to both economic and healthcare benefits for all stakeholders. Classification of aging as a disease may lead to more efficient allocation of resources by enabling funding bodies and other stakeholders to use quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and healthy-years equivalent (HYE) as metrics when evaluating both research and clinical programs. We propose forming a Task Force to interface the WHO in order to develop a multidisciplinary framework for classifying aging as a disease.

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Alex Zhavoronkov, Bhupinder Bhullar. 2015-08-18. Classifying Aging as a Disease in the context of ICD-11. https://doi.org/10.1101/024877

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