Open AccessTelomere length predicts survival independent of genetic influences
Author(s) -
Bakaysa Stephanie L.,
Mucci Lorelei A.,
Slagboom P. Eline,
Boomsma Dorret I.,
McClearn Gerald E.,
Johansson Boo,
Pedersen Nancy L.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
aging cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1474-9726
pISSN - 1474-9718
DOI - 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2007.00340.x
Subject(s) - telomere , biology , genetics , pleiotropy , hazard ratio , biomarker , confidence interval , dna , medicine , gene , phenotype
Summary Telomeres prevent the loss of coding genetic material during chromosomal replication. Previous research suggests that shorter telomere length may be associated with lower survival. Because genetic factors are important for individual differences in both telomere length and mortality, this association could reflect genetic or environmental pleiotropy rather than a direct biological effect of telomeres. We demonstrate through within‐pair analyses of Swedish twins that telomere length at advanced age is a biomarker that predicts survival beyond the impact of early familial environment and genetic factors in common with telomere length and mortality. Twins with the shortest telomeres had a three times greater risk of death during the follow‐up period than their co‐twins with the longest telomere measurements [hazard ratio (RR) = 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.1–7.3, P = 0.03].