Ethical guidance for geriatric clinical research in China

Lingling Yu; Xiaoling Li; Pengjun Zhang; Guojun Zhang

doi:10.1002/agm2.12138

Ethical guidance for geriatric clinical research in China

Aging Med (Milton). 2020 Dec 21;3(4):218-223. doi: 10.1002/agm2.12138. eCollection 2020 Dec.

Authors

Lingling Yu¹, Xiaoling Li², Pengjun Zhang¹, Guojun Zhang²

Affiliations

¹ Scientific Research Administration Department Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing China.
² Ethics Committee Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University National Center for Clinical Research on Geriatric Diseases Beijing China.

Abstract

In China, the population is aging rapidly, and the elderly have enormous medical needs. However, the elderly are underrepresented in clinical research, potentially forcing them to use medical devices and treatments that may be not suitable for them. Elderly patients are characterized by multiple comorbidities, concomitant treatments, and high incidence of cognitive impairment, and consequently are at increased risk of participating in clinical research. To reduce the risks involved with the elderly participating in clinical research, guidance on the ethical review of geriatric research is necessary. Based on a literature review and panel discussion, we have developed the Ethical Guidance for Geriatric Clinical Research, aiming to provide guidance on the ethical review of geriatric clinical research.

Keywords: clinical research; ethics; geriatrics.