eCite Digital Repository

Telomere length and lung function in a population-based cohort of children and mid-life adults

Citation

Nguyen, MT and Saffery, R and Burgner, D and Lycett, K and Vryer, R and Grobler, A and Dwyer, T and Ranganathan, S and Wake, M, Telomere length and lung function in a population-based cohort of children and mid-life adults, Pediatric Pulmonology pp. 1-9. ISSN 8755-6863 (2019) [Refereed Article]

Copyright Statement

Copyright 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

DOI: doi:10.1002/ppul.24489

Abstract

Objective: Telomere length is associated with poorer lung health in older adults, possibly from cumulative risk factor exposure, but data are lacking in pediatric and population-based cohorts. We examined associations of telomere length with lung function in children and mid-life adults.

Methods: Data were drawn from a population-based cross-sectional study of 11 to 12 year-olds and mid-life adults. Lung function was assessed by spirometric FEV1, FVC, FEV1 /FVC ratio, and MMEF25-75. Telomere length was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction from blood and expressed as the amount of telomeric genomic DNA to the beta-globin gene (T/S ratio). Associations of telomere length with spirometric parameters were tested by linear and logistic regression models, adjusting for potential confounders of sex, age, body mass index, socioeconomic position, physical activity, inflammation, asthma, pubertal status, and smoking.

Results: Mean T/S ratio was 1.09 (n = 1206; SD 0.55) in children and 0.81 (n = 1343; SD 0.38) in adults. In adults, for every additional unit in T/S ratio, FEV1/FVC and MMEF25-75 z-scores were higher (β 0.21 [95% confidence interval, CI; 0.06-0.36] and 0.23 [95% CI; 0.08-0.38], respectively), and the likelihood of being in the lowest quartile for FEV1/FVC and MMEF25-75 z-scores was lower (odds ratios 0.59 [95% CI, 0.39-0.89] and 0.64 [95% CI, 0.41-0.99], respectively). No evidence of association was seen for adult FEV1 or FVC, or any childhood spirometric index after adjustments.

Conclusion: Shorter telomere length showed moderate associations with poorer airflow parameters, but not vital capacity (lung volume) in mid-life adults. However, there was no convincing evidence of associations in children.

Item Details

Item Type:Refereed Article
Keywords:aging, cell senescence, life course, national cohort, spirometry
Research Division:Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
Research Group:Paediatrics
Research Field:Paediatrics not elsewhere classified
Objective Division:Health
Objective Group:Clinical health
Objective Field:Clinical health not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:Dwyer, T (Professor Terry Dwyer)
ID Code:134991
Year Published:2019
Web of Science® Times Cited:5
Deposited By:Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Deposited On:2019-09-18
Last Modified:2022-08-25
Downloads:0

Repository Staff Only: item control page