This is a multi-center, cross-sectional, observational study aimed at developing biological age calculators specifically for the Russian population investigating various aging phenotypes.
Aging is a complex process that varies greatly between individuals, meaning that chronological age does not always reflect one's biological health status. The primary goal of this study is to identify and analyze a comprehensive set of markers (including socioeconomic factors, lifestyle, physical parameters, cognitive function, and laboratory biomarkers) that best reflect the aging process. Using this data, researchers will create a mathematical model to estimate a person's "biological age."
The study plans to enroll at least 3,500 male and female volunteers aged 18 years and older from across Russia. Participants will be divided into 5-year age groups (e.g., 18-24, 25-29, up to 90+ years) to ensure broad representation.
Participation involves a single visit to a clinical center. During this visit, participants will undergo:
Interview and questionnaires (assessing health history, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, diet, sleep, and quality of life).
Physical examination and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, blood pressure, grip strength).
Functional and cognitive tests (e.g., walking speed, balance tests, memory and attention tasks tailored to age).
Collection of biomaterials: blood (50 ml), urine, and stool samples for extensive laboratory analysis, including routine tests and specialized aging biomarkers. Part of the biomaterials will be biobanked for future scientific research.
Instrumental examinations for a subset of participants: Depending on the center's capabilities and the study protocol, some participants may also undergo additional assessments such as densitometry (bone density scan), bioimpedance analysis (body composition), and brain MRI.
The results are expected to lead to the creation of a validated biological age calculator for the Russian population. This tool could help identify targets for interventions to promote healthy aging and, in the future, potentially predict the risk of developing age-related chronic diseases.
None
Refusal to participate in the study or to provide informed consent.
History or medical records indicating the presence of infectious diseases (Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, including HBsAg carrier status, HIV infection).
Presence of an acute illness/condition, exacerbation of a chronic disease, or surgical intervention within the last month prior to study inclusion.
Lack of remission from an oncological disease or ongoing anti-tumor therapy initiated less than three years prior to study inclusion.
The study cohort comprises a nationally representative sample of the general Russian adult population. We plan to enroll at least 3,500 volunteers (targeting a 1:1 male-to-female ratio) aged 18 years and older. Participants will be systematically recruited across multiple clinical centers in Russia to ensure geographic and social diversity. A key feature of the design is stratified enrollment by 5-year age groups (from 18 to 90+ years), with a target of 200-300 participants per stratum.
Cohort
Prospective
Not listed
Aging clock
A composite, unitless numerical score derived from a mathematical model (e.g., via machine learning) that integrates multidimensional data (socioeconomic, clinical, functional, cognitive, and laboratory biomarkers). This score is the output of the developed calculator and represents the estimated biological age of an individual. The score is calculated based on data collected during the single study visit. Its validation as a predictor will be analyzed cross-sectionally against chronological age and health status.
Characterization of Aging Phenotypes
Descriptive profiles (phenotypes) of aging across 5-year age strata (from 18 to 90+ years), based on the distribution and correlation of collected variables. This includes patterns in physical function, cognitive scores, biomarker levels, and comorbidity burden.
Establishment of a Biobank Repository
The number and type of biospecimens (whole blood, serum, plasma, stool, urine) successfully collected, processed, and stored for long-term preservation, enabling future research on aging mechanisms.
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