Psychological adversities and epigenetic ageing in midlife and older age: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Jiuyu Guo, Jiatong Shan, Kaisy Xinhong Ye et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined associations between psychological adversities and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) from midlife onward. It included 22 studies, 15 rated high quality, and used random-effects models. Across studies, psychological adversities were consistently positively associated with second-generation epigenetic clocks. Greater loneliness (β = 0.07, 95 % CI [0.06, 0.08]), depression (β = 0.08, 95 % CI [0.04, 0.13]), and stress (β = 0.10, 95 % CI [0.03, 0.16]) were each associated with higher EAA.
Key findings
- Greater loneliness was associated with higher EAA (β = 0.07, 95 % CI [0.06, 0.08], I 2 = 0 %, p = 0.002).
- Depression was associated with higher EAA (β = 0.08, 95 % CI [0.04, 0.13], I 2 = 55.2 %, p = 0.003).
- Stress was associated with higher EAA (β = 0.10, 95 % CI [0.03, 0.16], I2 = 68.4 %, p = 0.009).
- Positive associations across adversity types were consistently observed for the second-generation PhenoAge and GrimAge clocks.
Why it matters
The findings link common psychosocial adversities with epigenetic measures of ageing in midlife and older populations. This supports considering psychological and social exposures when studying biological ageing and health across the life course. The associations do not establish that adversity causes accelerated ageing, or that reducing adversity would slow it.
What to keep in mind
The review found no studies examining anxiety and noted underrepresentation of non-Western populations. Heterogeneity was substantial for the depression and stress meta-analyses.