This is one of the best arguments of why we need to treat people at old age, even if they are āhealthyā or not clinically sick. I believe in 20 years we will look back and it will be hard to understand why we took so long to start! So obvious to some, but so hard to see for most.
According to the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), these are examples of conditions that will result in comparable 10-year mortality risks:
(i) Moderate or severe liver disease.
(ii) Myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and diabetes without end-organ damage.
(iii) Diabetes with end-organ damage and chronic pulmonary disease.
(iv) Being 70-79 years old.
What is the difference? (i), (ii) and (iii) will receive treatment, (iv) will not.