Background Epigenetic clocks are composite markers developed to predict chronological age or mortality risk from DNA methylation (DNAm) data. The present study investigated the associations between four epigenetic clocks (Horvath’s and Hannum’s DNAmAge and DNAm GrimAge and PhenoAge) and physical functioning during a three-year follow-up. Methods We studied 63–76-year-old women (n = 413) from the Finnish Twin Study on Aging. DNAm was measured from blood samples at baseline. Age acceleration (AgeAccel) i.e. discrepancy between chronological age and DNAm age was determined as residuals from linear model. Physical functioning was assessed under standardized laboratory conditions at baseline and at follow-up. A cross-sectional analysis was performed with path models, and a longitudinal analysis was conducted with repeated measures linear models. A nonrandom missing data analysis was performed. Results In comparison to the other clocks, GrimAgeAccel was more strongly associated with physical functioning. At baseline, GrimAgeAccel was associated with lower performance in the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the six-minute walk test. At follow-up, significant associations were observed between GrimAgeAccel and lowered performance in the TUG, six-minute and 10-meter walk tests, and knee extension and ankle plantar flexion strength tests. Conclusions The DNAm GrimAge, a novel estimate of biological aging, associated with decline in physical functioning over the three-year follow-up in older women. However, associations between chronological age and physical function phenotypes followed similar pattern. Current epigenetic clocks do not provide strong benefits in predicting the decline of physical functioning at least during a rather short follow-up period and restricted age-range.
Objective To investigate associations of eating behaviour with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders (PFD), i.e., stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urge urinary incontinence (UUI), faecal incontinence (FI), constipation or defecation difficulties (CDD), and feeling of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) among middle-aged women. Design A cross-sectional, observational study. Setting University Research Laboratory. Sample A population sample of 1 098 Finnish women aged 47 to 55 years. Methods Eating behaviour, demographical, gynaecological, and physical activity variables were assessed using self-report questionnaires. Simple and multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the associations of eating behaviour and symptoms of PFD. Models were adjusted with demographical, gynaecological, and physical activity variables. Main outcome measures Prevalence of symptoms of CDD, FI, POP, SUI, UUI. Results After controlling for confounding, middle-aged women with restrictive eating style were more likely to experience the symptoms of CDD (OR 1.73, CI 1.03–2.90, p=0.039). Women with evening-oriented eating pattern were more likely to experience symptoms of UUI (OR 2.01, CI 1.32–3.07, p=0.001) while maintaining healthy eating patterns was associated with lower risk of UUI (OR 0.45, CI 0.24–0.85, p=0.014) in adjusted models. Conclusions This study provides proof-of-concept evidence to the hypothesis that eating behaviour is associated with perceived pelvic floor disorders, particularly CDD and UUI, warranting further studies to investigate causality.
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