This study assesses the associations between annual measures of economic hardship (EH) across 22 years of adulthood and objective measures of early ageing in a Danish late-middle-aged population (N = 5575). EH (years < 60% of the National median equivalized household disposable income) was experienced by 18% during 1987-2008. Four or more years in EH (reference = null years in EH) was related to poorer physical capability (chair rise: − 1.49 counts/30 s [95% confidence interval (CI) − 2.36, − 0.61], hand grip strength: − 1.22 kg [95% CI − 2.38, − 0.07], jump height: − 1.67 cm [95% CI − 2.44, − 0.91] and balance: 18% [95% CI 9, 28]), poorer cognitive function (Intelligenz-Struktur-Test: − 1.50 points [95% CI − 2.89, − 0.12]) and higher inflammatory levels (C-reactive protein: 22% [95% CI 4, 44], and Interleukin-6: 23% [95% CI 10, 39]). Comparing four EH trajectories, people with a high versus low probability of EH over time had poorer physical capability (chair rise: − 1.70 counts/30 s [95% CI − 3.38, − 0.01], grip: − 4.33 kg [95% CI − 6.50, − 2.16], jump: − 1.68 cm [95% CI − 3.12, − 0.25] and balance: 31% [95% CI 12, 52]). No associations were observed with tumour necrosis factor-α. Results were adjusted for sex, age, long-term parental unemployment/financial problems, education, baseline income and cohort. This study suggested EH for four or more years to be associated with poorer physical capability, cognitive function and increased inflammatory levels in midlife. High probability of EH across adulthood was similarly related to poorer physical capability and CRP, but not cognitive function and the remaining inflammatory markers. In conclusion, preventive initiatives focusing on reducing the burden of sustained economic hardship may lead to increased healthy ageing.

Background The authors examined the associations between annual measures of economic hardship (EH) across 22 years of adulthood and objective measures of early ageing in a Danish late-middle aged population. Methods A linkage of longitudinal register data from Statistics Denmark covering the period 1987-2008 and cross-sectional survey data from the Copenhagen Ageing and Midlife Biobank collected in 2009-11 (N = 5,575). EH was defined as &lt; 60% of the National median equivalized household disposable income and two exposures were calculated: 1) a categorical measure of total number if years in EH, and 2) trajectories of the probability of EH being low, declining, rising or high. Early ageing outcomes included four measures of physical capability, three inflammatory markers and one cognitive test. Associations were analyzed using linear regression models adjusted for sex, age, cohort, education, baseline income and long-term parental unemployment/financial problems. Results Four or more years in EH (reference=null years in EH) was related to poorer physical capability (chair rise: -1.49 counts/30 seconds [95% confidence interval (CI) -2.36, -0.61], hand grip strength: -1.22 kg [95% CI -2.38, -0.07], jump height: -1.67 cm [95% CI -2.44, -0.91] and balance: 18% [95% CI 9, 28]), poorer cognitive function (Intelligenz-Struktur-Test: -1.50 points [95% CI -2.89, -0.12]) and higher inflammatory levels (C-reactive protein: 22% [95% CI 4, 44], and Interleukin-6: 23% [95% CI 10, 39]). Comparing the four EH trajectories, people with a high vs. low probability of EH over time had poorer physical capability (chair rise: -1.70 counts/30 seconds [95% CI -3.38, -0.01], grip: -4.33 kg [95% CI -6.50, -2.16], jump: -1.68 cm [95% CI -3.12, -0.25], and balance: 31% [95% CI 12, 52]). No associations were observed with Tumor necrosis factor α. Conclusions This study suggests that sustained EH across adulthood may lead to early ageing. Key messages Sustained economic hardship in adulthood may lead to early ageing. Being in economic hardship for a few years is not associated with early ageing.