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Stressful life events and leukocyte telomere attrition in adulthood: a prospective population-based cohort study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 July 2015

S. L. van Ockenburg ,
E. H. Bos ,
P. de Jonge ,
P. van der Harst ,
R. O. B. Gans  and
J. G. M. Rosmalen
S. L. van Ockenburg
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
E. H. Bos
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
P. de Jonge
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
P. van der Harst
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
R. O. B. Gans
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
J. G. M. Rosmalen*
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
*
* Address for correspondence: Professor J. G. M. Rosmalen, Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB, CC72, Groningen, The Netherlands (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background.

Telomere attrition might be one of the mechanisms through which psychosocial stress leads to somatic disease. To date it is unknown if exposure to adverse life events in adulthood is associated with telomere shortening prospectively. In the current study we investigated whether life events are associated with shortening of telomere length (TL).

Method.

Participants were 1094 adults (mean age 53.1, range 33–79 years) from the PREVEND cohort. Data were collected at baseline (T1) and at two follow-up visits after 4 years (T2) and 6 years (T3). Life events were assessed with an adjusted version of the List of Threatening Events (LTE). TL was measured by monochrome multiplex quantitative PCR at T1, T2, and T3. A linear mixed model was used to assess the effect of recent life events on TL prospectively. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to assess whether the lifetime life events score or the score of life events experienced before the age of 12 predicted TL cross-sectionally. All final models were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, presence of chronic diseases, frequency of sports, smoking status, and level of education.

Results.

Recent life events significantly predicted telomere attrition prospectively (B = −0.031, p = 0.007). We were not able to demonstrate a significant cross-sectional relationship between the lifetime LTE score and TL. Nor did we find exposure to adverse life events before the age of 12 to be associated with TL in adulthood.

Conclusions.

Exposure to recent adverse life events in adulthood is associated with telomere attrition prospectively.

Keywords

Adversitylife eventsobservational cohort studyprospectivestresstelomere
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 45 , Issue 14 , October 2015 , pp. 2975 - 2984
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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