Infection and telomere length: a systematic review protocol

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Science
• Gerontology
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

• Telomeres, critical for cellular aging, are linked to cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
• Existing research suggests infections may shorten telomeres, but comprehensive evidence is lacking.
• The relationship between various infection types, severities, and telomere length remains unclear across different populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and collate evidence on the association between infections and telomere length.
• To enable comparison of findings across diverse studies and populations.
• To inform future research directions in cellular aging and infectious diseases.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search across multiple databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Global Health, Cochrane Library) and grey literature.
• Inclusion of all study types, geographical locations, infection types, and outcome measurement methods.
• Independent study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment using ROB2 and ROBINS-E tools, with quality appraisal via GRADE criteria.

Main Results:

• Data synthesis will involve meta-analysis if homogeneity is sufficient, or a narrative synthesis grouped by exposure and study design.
• Heterogeneity will be evaluated concerning study design, exposure, and outcome measurement.
• Results will be presented to allow for comparison and identification of trends.

Conclusions:

• This systematic review will provide a comprehensive overview of the association between infections and telomere length.
• Findings will clarify the impact of different infections and severities on cellular aging markers.
• The study aims to guide future research and clinical understanding of infection-related aging processes.