Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Disparities in adult morbidity and mortality may be rooted in patterns of biological dysfunction in early life. We sought to examine the association between pathogen burden and a cumulative deficits index (CDI), conceptualized as a pre-clinical marker of an unhealthy biomarker profile, specifically focusing on patterns across levels of social disadvantage.Methods
Using the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004 wave (aged 20-49 years), we examined the association of pathogen burden, composed of seven pathogens, with the CDI. The CDI comprised 28 biomarkers corresponding to available clinical laboratory measures. Models were stratified by race/ethnicity and education level.Results
The CDI ranged from 0.04 to 0.78. Nearly half of Blacks were classified in the high burden pathogen class compared with 8% of Whites. Among both Mexican Americans and other Hispanic groups, the largest proportion of individuals were classified in the common pathogens class. Among educational classes, 19% of those with less than a high school education were classified in the high burden class compared with 7% of those with at least a college education. Blacks in the high burden pathogen class had a CDI 0.05 greater than those in the low burden class (P?DiscussionOur findings suggest there are significant social disparities in the distribution of pathogen burden across race/ethnic groups, and the effects of pathogen burden may be more significant for socially disadvantaged individuals.
SUBMITTER: Noppert GA
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6980710 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Noppert Grace A GA Aiello A E AE O'Rand A M AM Cohen H J HJ
Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities 20191022 1
<h4>Background</h4>Disparities in adult morbidity and mortality may be rooted in patterns of biological dysfunction in early life. We sought to examine the association between pathogen burden and a cumulative deficits index (CDI), conceptualized as a pre-clinical marker of an unhealthy biomarker profile, specifically focusing on patterns across levels of social disadvantage.<h4>Methods</h4>Using the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004 wave (aged 20-49 years), ...[more]