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Inflammageing

Meaning

Inflammageing, a portmanteau of inflammation and aging, is a state of chronic, low-grade, sterile, systemic inflammation that develops with advancing chronological age. This pervasive elevation of pro-inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6), is a highly significant risk factor for age-related morbidity and mortality. It is considered a fundamental driver of the aging process itself, contributing to frailty, metabolic dysfunction, and nearly all chronic diseases. The condition is distinct because it persists without an overt, acute infection.