Dataset Information

Are objective measures of physical capability related to accelerated epigenetic age? Findings from a British birth cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Our aim was to investigate the association of epigenetic age and physical capability in later life. Having a higher epigenetic than chronological age (known as age acceleration (AA)) has been found to be associated with an increased rate of mortality. Similarly, physical capability has been proposed as a marker of ageing due to its consistent associations with mortality.

Setting

The MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD) cohort study.

Participants

We used data from 790 women from the NSHD who had DNA methylation data available.

Design

Epigenetic age was calculated using buccal cell (n=790) and matched blood tissue (n=152) from 790 female NSHD participants. We investigated the association of AA at age 53 with changes in physical capability in women from ages 53 to 60-64. Regression models of change in each measure of physical capability on AA were conducted. Secondary analysis focused on the relationship between AA and smoking, alcohol, body mass index (BMI) and socioeconomic position.

Outcome measures

Three objective measures of physical capability were used: grip strength, standing balance time and chair rise speed.

Results

Epigenetic age was lower than chronological age (mean 53.4) for both blood (50.3) and buccal cells (42.8). AA from blood was associated with a greater decrease in grip strength from ages 53 to 60-64 (0.42 kg decrease per year of AA, 95% CI 0.03, 0.82 kg; p=0.03, n=152), but no associations were observed with standing balance time or chair rise speed. Current smoking and lower BMI were associated with lower epigenetic age from buccal cells.

Conclusions

We found evidence that AA in blood is associated with a greater decrease in grip strength in British females aged between 53 and 60-64, but no association with standing balance time or chair rise speed was found.

SUBMITTER: Simpkin AJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5695310 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Are objective measures of physical capability related to accelerated epigenetic age? Findings from a British birth cohort.

Simpkin Andrew J AJ Cooper Rachel R Howe Laura D LD Relton Caroline L CL Davey Smith George G Teschendorff Andrew A Widschwendter Martin M Wong Andrew A Kuh Diana D Hardy Rebecca R

BMJ open 20171101 10

<h4>Objectives</h4>Our aim was to investigate the association of epigenetic age and physical capability in later life. Having a higher epigenetic than chronological age (known as age acceleration (AA)) has been found to be associated with an increased rate of mortality. Similarly, physical capability has been proposed as a marker of ageing due to its consistent associations with mortality.<h4>Setting</h4>The MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD) cohort study.<h4>Participants</h4>W ...[more]

PMID: 29092899

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Project description:OBJECTIVES:To investigate longitudinal associations between polypharmacy and cognitive and physical capability and to determine whether these associations differ with cumulative exposure to polypharmacy. DESIGN:Prospective birth cohort study. SETTING:England, Scotland, and Wales. PARTICIPANTS:An eligible sample of men and women from the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development with medication data at age 69 (N=2,122, 79%). MEASUREMENTS:Cognitive capability was assessed using a word learning test, visual search speed task, and the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination, Third Edition (ACE-III). Physical capability was measured using chair rise speed, standing balance time, walking speed, and grip strength. RESULTS:Polypharmacy (5-8 prescribed medications) was present in 18.2% of participants at age 69 and excessive polypharmacy (?9 prescribed medications) in 4.7%. Both were associated with poorer cognitive and physical capability in models adjusted for sex, education, and disease burden. Stronger associations were found for excessive polypharmacy (e.g., difference in mean ACE-III scores comparing polypharmacy=-2.0, 95% CI=-2.8 to -1.1 and excessive polypharmacy=-2.9, 95% CI=-4.4 to -1.4 with no polypharmacy). Participants with polypharmacy at age 60 to 64 and at age 69 showed stronger Negative associations with cognitive and physical capability were stronger still in participants with polypharmacy at both age 60 to 64 and at age 69 (e.g. difference in mean chair rise speed, comparing polypharmacy with no polypharmacy at both ages=-3.9, 95% CI=-5.2 to -2.6 and at age 60-64 only=-2.5, 95% CI=-4.1 to -0.9). CONCLUSION:Polypharmacy at age 60 to 64 and age 69 was associated with poorer physical and cognitive capability, even after adjusting for disease burden. Stronger negative associations were seen in participants with longstanding polypharmacy, suggesting a cumulative, dose-dependent relationship (where dose is the number of prescribed medications). Future research aiming to improve cognitive and physical capability should consider interventions to reduce the duration and level of polypharmacy at younger ages, in addition to optimizing disease control with appropriate medications.

Dataset Information

Are objective measures of physical capability related to accelerated epigenetic age? Findings from a British birth cohort.

Objectives

Setting

Participants

Design

Outcome measures

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Are objective measures of physical capability related to accelerated epigenetic age? Findings from a British birth cohort.

Similar Datasets

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