A1 Journal article (refereed)
Early-Life Factors as Predictors of Age-Associated Deficit Accumulation Across 17 Years From Midlife Into Old Age (2022)
Haapanen, M. J., Jylhävä, J., Kortelainen, L., Mikkola, T. M., Salonen, M., Wasenius, N. S., Kajantie, E., Eriksson, J. G., & von Bonsdorff, M. B. (2022). Early-Life Factors as Predictors of Age-Associated Deficit Accumulation Across 17 Years From Midlife Into Old Age. Journals of Gerontology Series A : Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 77(11), 2281-2287. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glac007
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Haapanen, Markus J.; Jylhävä, Juulia; Kortelainen, Lauri; Mikkola, Tuija M.; Salonen, Minna; Wasenius, Niko S.; Kajantie, Eero; Eriksson, Johan G.; von Bonsdorff, Mikaela B.
Journal or series: Journals of Gerontology Series A : Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
ISSN: 1079-5006
eISSN: 1758-535X
Publication year: 2022
Publication date: 09/01/2022
Volume: 77
Issue number: 11
Pages range: 2281-2287
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication country: United States
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glac007
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79411
Abstract
Early life exposures have been associated with the risk of frailty in old age. We investigated whether early life exposures predict the level and rate of change in a frailty index (FI) from midlife into old age.
Methods
A linear mixed model analysis was performed using data from three measurement occasions over 17 years in participants from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study (n=2000) aged 57-84 years. A 41-item FI was calculated on each occasion. Information on birth size, maternal body mass index (BMI), growth in infancy and childhood, childhood socioeconomic status (SES), and early life stress (wartime separation from both parents), was obtained from registers and healthcare records.
Results
At age 57 years the mean FI level was 0.186 and the FI levels increased by 0.34 percent/year from midlife into old age. Larger body size at birth associated with a slower increase in FI levels from midlife into old age. Per 1kg greater birth weight the increase in FI levels per year was -0.087 percentage points slower (95% CI=-0.163, -0.011; p=0.026). Higher maternal BMI was associated with a higher offspring FI level in midlife and a slower increase in FI levels into old age. Larger size, faster growth from infancy to childhood, and low SES in childhood were all associated with a lower FI level in midlife but not with its rate of change.
Conclusions
Early life factors seem to contribute to disparities in frailty from midlife into old age. Early life factors may identify groups that could benefit from frailty prevention, optimally initiated early in life.
Keywords: ageing; frailty syndrome; risk factors; course of life; birth weight; early childhood
Free keywords: life course; risk factors; frailty; birth factors
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2022
JUFO rating: 3
