Inflammaging: A Concept Analysis

• Inflammaging describes the chronic inflammatory state associated with aging
• It is an age-related chronic, systemic, asymptomatic, low-grade inflammation
• Frailty, morbidity, and mortality are the consequences
• The concept unifies disparate diseases by suggesting similar etiology
• Inflammaging has significant implications for nurse practitioners

In this report we assess the concept of inflammaging. As the population ages, the prevalence of chronic illness will dramatically increase. Inflammaging describes the chronic inflammatory state associated with aging. Antecedents include immunosenescence, genetics, gonadasenescence, adrenosenescence, somatosenescence, calcium senescence, and lifestyle factors. The defining characteristics are an age-related chronic, systemic, asymptomatic, low-grade inflammation. Frailty, morbidity, and mortality are the consequences. Clinical indicators are serum levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β. This concept attempts to unify disparate diseases that affect the elderly by suggesting they have similar etiology. Inflammaging has significant research and clinical implications for nurse practitioners.