A1 Journal article (refereed)
Mortality associations with DNA methylation-based biological aging and physical functioning measures across a 20-year follow-up period (2023)
Föhr, T., Waller, K., Viljanen, A., Rantanen, T., Kaprio, J., Ollikainen, M., & Sillanpää, E. (2023). Mortality associations with DNA methylation-based biological aging and physical functioning measures across a 20-year follow-up period. Journals of Gerontology Series A : Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 78(8), 1489-1496. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glad026
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Föhr, Tiina; Waller, Katja; Viljanen, Anne; Rantanen, Taina; Kaprio, Jaakko; Ollikainen, Miina; Sillanpää, Elina
Journal or series: Journals of Gerontology Series A : Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
ISSN: 1079-5006
eISSN: 1758-535X
Publication year: 2023
Publication date: 22/01/2023
Volume: 78
Issue number: 8
Pages range: 1489-1496
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication country: United States
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glad026
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/88431
Abstract
Measures of biological aging range from DNA methylation (DNAm)-based estimates to measures of physical abilities. The purpose of this study was to compare DNAm- and physical functioning-based measures of biological aging in predicting mortality.
Methods
We studied 63- to 76-year-old women (N = 395) from the Finnish Twin Study on Aging (FITSA). Participants’ biological age (epigenetic clocks DNAm GrimAge and DunedinPACE) was estimated using blood DNAm data. Tests of physical functioning conducted under standardized laboratory conditions included the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and 10-m walk test. Mortality hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated per every one standard deviation (SD) increase in the predictor. Cox regression models were conducted for individuals and twin pairs, the latter controlling for underlying genetic effects. The models were adjusted for known lifestyle predictors of mortality.
Results
During the follow-up period (mean 17.0 years, range 0.2–20.3), 187 participants died. In both the individual-based and pairwise analyses, GrimAge and both functional biomarkers of aging were associated with mortality independent of family relatedness, chronological age, physical activity, body mass index, smoking, education, or chronic diseases. In a model including both the DNAm-based measures and functional biomarkers of aging, GrimAge and TUG remained predictive.
Conclusions
The findings suggest that DNAm GrimAge and the TUG test are strong predictors of mortality independent of each other’s and genetic influences. DNAm-based measures and functional tests capture different aspects of the aging process and thus complement each other as measures of biological aging in predicting mortality.
Keywords: twins; epigenetics; epigenetic inheritance; walking (motion); ageing; mortality; genome
Free keywords: epigenetic clock; Timed Up and Go test; walking speed; twins
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- Investigating causal interactions between physical activity and cardiometabolic disease via polygenic risk scores
- Sillanpää, Elina
- Research Council of Finland
- Investigating causal interactions between physical activity and cardiometabolic disease via polygenic risk scores (GenActive)
- Sillanpää, Elina
- Research Council of Finland
Ministry reporting: Yes
JUFO rating: 3
Preliminary JUFO rating: 3
