Related risk factors for age-dependent telomere shortening change with age from the perspective of life course

Many related factors can accelerate the age-dependent telomere shortening, but some problems remain unresolved. This study aimed to assess the risk factors of telomere attrition at different age stages.

This study was a population-based nationally representative survey study. All data were collected using a standard methodology by the national surveillance system. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure relative leukocyte telomere length. Multiple linear regression analysis with age stratification was used to estimate the association of shortened telomere length with risk factors at the different age stages. Covariance analysis was used to compare the telomere length of category variables, and the model was adjusted for potentially confounders.

A total of 7,659 eligible participants aged 20 years or older with DNA specimens participated in the study. Related risk factors for age-dependent telomere shortening included gender, race-ethnicity, education levels, family income, health insurance, marital status, physical activity, smoking status, alcohol use, and self-reported greatest weight, which were associated with change in telomere length at different age stages.

Related risk factors of telomere attrition were changed with age in life course. The evaluation of related risk factors for telomere attrition in terms of age may be a more accurate evaluation comparison with the specific age.