Telomere Length and All-Cause Mortality: A Meta-analysis.

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Gerontology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Telomere attrition is implicated in age-related diseases, morbidity, and mortality.
• Previous studies on telomere length (TL) and all-cause mortality show inconsistent findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between telomere length and all-cause mortality.
• To resolve inconsistencies in previous research through a comprehensive meta-analysis.

Main Methods:

• A meta-analysis combining published cohort studies and unpublished data from the Swedish Twin Registry (STR).
• Included 25 studies: 4 STR cohorts (12,083 individuals) and 21 published studies (totaling 121,749 individuals).

Main Results:

• In STR studies, a one SD decrease in leukocyte TL correlated with a 13% increased mortality risk.
• Meta-analysis of all studies showed a 1.09 hazard ratio for each one SD decrease in TL.
• Individuals in the shortest TL quartile had significantly higher mortality risk compared to the longest quartile.

Conclusions:

• Short telomeres are associated with increased all-cause mortality risk in the general population.
• Heterogeneity in effect estimates is influenced by TL measurement techniques and age at measurement.
• The association appears weaker in individuals over 80 years old.