Race/Ethnic and Educational Disparities in the Association Between Pathogen Burden and a Laboratory-Based Cumulative Deficits Index.

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 h

SUBMITTER: Noppert GA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6980710 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature