HEAT EXPOSURE AND ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY AMONG OLDER US ADULTS
2024
Heat Exposure and Immune Function in Older Adults
Sample size: 7301
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Choi Eunyoung, Seshadri Gokul, Ailshire Jennifer, Thyagarajan Bharat
Primary Institution: University of Southern California, University of Minnesota
Hypothesis
How is heat exposure associated with adaptive immunity in older adults?
Conclusion
Heat exposure can negatively impact immune cell proportions in older adults, potentially leading to poor adaptive immunity.
Supporting Evidence
- Higher acute heat exposure is linked to decreased CD4+ naïve T-cells and CD8+ memory T-cells.
- Chronic heat exposure is associated with a reduction in T-cell repertoire.
Takeaway
When it gets really hot, it can change how our body's defenses work, especially in older people.
Methodology
The study used multilevel models to analyze the relationship between heat exposure and immune cell subsets in older adults.
Participant Demographics
Older adults from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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