Gerstein A D, Phillips T J, Rogers G S, Gilchrest B A
Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts.
Dermatol Clin. 1993 Oct;11(4):749-57.
Age-related differences in wound healing have been clearly documented. Although the elderly can heal most wounds, they have a slower healing process, and all phases of wound healing are affected. The inflammatory response is decreased or delayed, as is the proliferative response. Remodeling occurs, but to a lesser degree, and the collagen formed is qualitatively different. Diseases that affect wound healing are more prevalent in the elderly and have a greater adverse effect on healing than in young adults. Thus, particularly in the elderly, concomitant medical problems should be treated vigorously to allow for maximum healing. Recent trials of novel therapies to enhance wound healing suggest, however, that much can be done to improve the prognosis of elderly patients with risk factors known to adversely affect wound healing.
伤口愈合中的年龄相关差异已有明确记录。尽管老年人大多伤口能够愈合，但他们的愈合过程较慢，且伤口愈合的各个阶段都会受到影响。炎症反应减弱或延迟，增殖反应也是如此。重塑过程会发生，但程度较小，且形成的胶原蛋白在质量上有所不同。影响伤口愈合的疾病在老年人中更为普遍，且对愈合的不利影响比年轻人更大。因此，特别是对于老年人，应积极治疗伴发的医疗问题以实现最大程度的愈合。然而，最近关于促进伤口愈合的新型疗法的试验表明，对于有已知会对伤口愈合产生不利影响的风险因素的老年患者，采取很多措施可以改善其预后。
