Association between work characteristics and epigenetic age acceleration: cross-sectional results from UK – Understanding Society study

• DOI: 10.18632/aging.204327
• Publication Date: 2022-10-05T15:42:01Z
• Authors: Anna Freni-Sterra...; Giovanni Fiorito; Angelo d’Errico; Marianna Virtanen; Leena Ala-Mursula; Marjo-Riitta Järv...; Paolo Vineis; Oliver Robinson
• Keywords: Male; unemployment; Aging; 0303 health sciences; epigenetic age; 330; Acceleration; 0601 Biochemistry and Cell Biology; 0606 Physiology; United Kingdom; Epigenesis, Genetic; 03 medical and health sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Genetic; work characteristics; 8. Economic growth; Humans; 1112 Oncology and Carcinogenesis; Female; Biomarkers; Epigenesis; job schedule; Research Paper

Occupation-related stress and work characteristics are possible determinants of social inequalities in epigenetic aging but have been little investigated. Here, we investigate the association several with age acceleration (AA) biomarkers. The study population included employed unemployed men women (n = 631) from UK Understanding Society study. We evaluated employment related to job type, stability; schedule; autonomy influence at work; occupational physical activity; feelings regarding four biomarkers (Hannum, Horvath, PhenoAge, GrimAge) pace (DunedinPoAm, DunedinPACE). fitted linear regression models, unadjusted adjusted for established risk factors, found following associations unemployment (years acceleration): HorvathAA (1.51, 95% CI 0.08, 2.95), GrimAgeAA (1.53, 0.16, 2.90) 3.21 years PhenoAA (95% 0.89, 5.33). Job insecurity increased (1.83, 0.003, 3.67), while working night was associated an increase 2.12 0.69, 3.55). effects be stronger shift women. These results provide evidence between accelerated ageing suggest that insecure may also acceleration. Our findings implications policies relating current changes conditions highlight utility biological studies younger populations without long-term health information.