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Low social support is associated with shorter leukocyte telomere length in late life: multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.
- Source :
-
Psychosomatic medicine [Psychosom Med] 2013 Feb; Vol. 75 (2), pp. 171-7. Date of Electronic Publication: 2013 Jan 31. - Publication Year :
- 2013
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Abstract
- Objective: The primary goal was to test the hypothesis that limited social support (SS) is related to shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL), particularly in an older adult population.<br />Methods: Cross-sectional analyses were performed on 948 participants aged 45 to 84 years at Examination 1 of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (18.4% white, 53.1% Hispanics, and 28.5% African American). LTL was determined by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and SS was measured with the Enhancing Recovery in Coronary Heart Disease SS inventory.<br />Results: Across the entire sample, SS was not associated with LTL (p=.87) after adjusting for demographic (age, sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status), age×sex, age×race, health (body mass index, diabetes, pulse pressure), and life-style factors (smoking, physical activity, diet); however, the interaction term age (dichotomized)×SS was significant (p=.001). Stratification by age group revealed a positive association between SS (score range, 5-25) and LTL in the older (65-84 years; B[SE]=.005[.002]; p=.007) but not younger participants (45-64 years; p=.12) after adjusting for covariates.<br />Conclusions: These results from a racially/ethnically diverse community sample of men and women provide initial evidence that low SS is associated with shorter LTL in adults aged 65 years and older and is consistent with the hypothesis that social environment may contribute to rates of cellular aging, particularly in late life.
- Subjects :
- Black or African American statistics & numerical data
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging psychology
Atherosclerosis ethnology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Hispanic or Latino statistics & numerical data
Humans
Linear Models
Loneliness psychology
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Middle Aged
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Risk Factors
Social Isolation psychology
United States epidemiology
White People statistics & numerical data
Aging physiology
Cellular Senescence physiology
Leukocytes
Social Support
Telomere Shortening physiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1534-7796
- Volume :
- 75
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Psychosomatic medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23370895
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0b013e31828233bf