| Title: | Adverse events in both childhood and adulthood are associated with molecular, clinical and functional markers of ageing |
| Journal: | BMC Medicine |
| Published: | 28 Apr 2026 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42046058/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-026-04815-x |
| URL: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12916-026-04815-x |
Publication 17812
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Abstract
BackgroundAdverse events across the lifespan have been linked to poorer health outcomes, but the biological mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to quantify the independent and joint associations of adversity experienced in childhood and/or adulthood with molecular, clinical and functional markers of biological ageing.MethodsWe analysed data from up to 153,557 middle-aged and older adults in the UK Biobank. Adversity was assessed through questionnaires capturing five types of childhood and adulthood adverse events. Biological ageing markers included metabolomic age (MileAge) delta, a metabolomic mortality profile, the frailty index, telomere length and grip strength. Regression models were adjusted for age, sex, education, income, ethnicity and neighbourhood deprivation.ResultsAcross childhood and adulthood exposures, adversity and its severity were most consistently associated with higher frailty index values. The strongest associations were observed in individuals exposed to multiple types of adverse events. Individuals who experienced adversity in both childhood and adulthood also had a metabolite-predicted age exceeding their chronological age and lower grip strength. Abuse was more consistently associated with biological ageing markers than neglect.ConclusionsCumulative exposure to adversity across childhood and adulthood is associated with older biological ageing profiles across multiple domains. These findings highlight biological ageing as a potential pathway linking adversity to poor health outcomes and premature mortality.</p>
13 Keywords
- Adult
- Adverse Childhood Experiences
- Aged
- Aging
- Biomarkers
- Child
- Female
- Frailty
- Hand Strength
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- United Kingdom
7 Authors
- Monica Aas
- Thole H Hoppen
- Nexhmedin Morina
- Shiyu Zhang
- Bin Li
- Vid Mlakar
- Julian Mutz
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 45514 | Exploring predictors of healthy ageing in UK Biobank |
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