TAP reading note: Towards a consensus definition of allostatic load: a multi-cohort, multi-system, multi-biomarker individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis
This multi-cohort analysis narrows the candidate markers for allostatic-load measurement. A five-marker combination—CRP, resting heart rate, HDL cholesterol, waist-to-height ratio and HbA1c—performed similarly to longer combinations for mortality prediction within the study. Peak expiratory flow offered additional information. The contribution is a candidate set for harmonisation.
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What the study found
This multi-cohort analysis narrows the candidate markers for allostatic-load measurement. A five-marker combination—CRP, resting heart rate, HDL cholesterol, waist-to-height ratio and HbA1c—performed similarly to longer combinations for mortality prediction within the study. Peak expiratory flow offered additional information. The contribution is a candidate set for harmonisation.
Scope & limitations
13 cohorts with 67,126 participants aged 40–111; mortality information was available in 10 cohorts.
Cohorts were selected by data availability. Most health outcomes were cross-sectional, and mortality follow-up varied. Selection against health outcomes does not establish stress specificity or an individual diagnostic threshold. Younger populations, medication effects, sex differences and external calibration require further evaluation.
Population & sample
13 cohorts with 67,126 participants aged 40–111; mortality information was available in 10 cohorts.
Exposure or intervention
Two-stage individual-participant-data meta-analysis comparing 40 biomarkers from 12 systems and combinations of different lengths.
Outcomes
Health and functional measures and mortality; mortality was analysed as a binary outcome rather than a uniform follow-up survival model.
Time frame
Mortality follow-up varied approximately 2–14 years; other major health outcomes were cross-sectional.
Research funding
Support included Health Research Board EIA-2017-012, ESRC ES/T014083/1 and ERC Gendhi funding. Cohorts had additional funding, including some commercial support; consult the full acknowledgements.
Research conflicts of interest
The separate interest statement and all cohort-level disclosures have not been fully checked.
Reading scope
Author-version study populations, statistical analysis, five-marker comparisons and recommendations. Tables S5/S6, external calibration and all cohort supplements remain to be examined.
References
Publication record
TAP-RDN-0014 · v0.3 · English
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Record for v0.3 · Updated
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Editorial note
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