FASTER EPIGENETIC AGING AND INCREASED RISK OF PROSPECTIVE MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY FOR U.S. VETERANS
2024
Faster Epigenetic Aging and Increased Health Risks for U.S. Veterans
Sample size: 2216
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Bourassa Kyle
Primary Institution: Durham VA Medical Center
Hypothesis
Whether an epigenetic measure of aging—DunedinPACE—was associated with prospective health outcomes in U.S. military veterans.
Conclusion
Faster aging scores were linked to higher risks of chronic diseases and mortality among veterans.
Supporting Evidence
- Faster DunedinPACE aging scores were associated with greater chronic disease burden.
- Veterans with faster aging scores had higher predicted healthcare costs.
- Faster aging scores correlated with increased risk for myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes, cancer, liver disease, and renal disease.
- The results were consistent across different demographic groups and when using an alternative aging measure.
Takeaway
This study found that veterans who age faster according to a specific test are more likely to get sick and die earlier.
Methodology
The study used VA electronic health records to assess health outcomes related to DunedinPACE aging scores.
Participant Demographics
The sample included 2,216 post-9/11 U.S. military veterans, with 472 women and 1,744 men, including 1,077 non-Hispanic Black veterans and 1,139 non-Hispanic White veterans.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website