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Review
. 2021 May 13:10:e63425.
doi: 10.7554/eLife.63425.

Sex differences in biological aging with a focus on human studies

Sara Hägg  1 , Juulia Jylhävä  1
Affiliations
Review

Sex differences in biological aging with a focus on human studies

Sara Hägg et al. Elife. .

Abstract

Aging is a complex biological process characterized by hallmark features accumulating over the life course, shaping the individual's aging trajectory and subsequent disease risks. There is substantial individual variability in the aging process between men and women. In general, women live longer than men, consistent with lower biological ages as assessed by molecular biomarkers, but there is a paradox. Women are frailer and have worse health at the end of life, while men still perform better in physical function examinations. Moreover, many age-related diseases show sex-specific patterns. In this review, we aim to summarize the current knowledge on sexual dimorphism in human studies, with support from animal research, on biological aging and illnesses. We also attempt to place it in the context of the theories of aging, as well as discuss the explanations for the sex differences, for example, the sex-chromosome linked mechanisms and hormonally driven differences.

Keywords: age-related diseases; biological aging; epidemiology; global health; sexual dimorphism; theories of aging.

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Conflict of interest statement

SH, JJ No competing interests declared

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Conceptual framework of the complex interactions between molecular, cellular, functional, organ, and whole body aging processes across the life course in men and women, with influences from chromosomes and hormones on the sex differences.
The different illustrations made for men and women are based on descriptions in the text. For healthspan and lifespan, trajectories are taken from a recent publication by Li et al., 2021.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Overview of the most significant sex differences in age-related diseases, functioning and frailty.
Abbreviations: AD, Alzheimer’s disease; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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