Towards a consensus definition of allostatic load: a multi-cohort, multi-system, multi-biomarker individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis
Cathal McCrory · Sinead McLoughlin · Richard Layte · Cliona NiCheallaigh · Aisling M. O’Halloran · Henrique Barros · Lisa F. Berkman · Murielle Bochud · Eileen M. Crimmins · Meagan T. Farrell · Silvia Fraga · Emily Grundy · Michelle Kelly-Irving · Dusan Petrovic · Teresa Seeman · Silvia Stringhini · Peter Vollenveider · Rose Anne Kenny
Psychoneuroendocrinology · 2023
What the research tells us
Across 13 cohorts, the authors compared biomarker associations with function and self-rated health. A five-marker index performed as well as or better than more elaborate combinations for mortality prediction in the analyses reported.
What to keep in mind
This is evidence for harmonizing measurement in the cohorts examined. It does not establish a universal diagnostic threshold, prove that stress caused every biomarker difference, or show that lowering an index improves health.
Study at a glance
- POPULATION & SAMPLE
- Individual-participant-data analysis of 67,126 people aged 40–111 years; 40 candidate biomarkers across 12 physiological systems.
- EXPOSURE / INTERVENTION / SUBJECT
- Alternative biomarker combinations used to operationalize allostatic load.
- OUTCOMES
- Grip strength, walking speed and self-rated health; mortality used as a separate outcome.
- TIME FRAME
- Multiple cohorts with differing observation periods; published in 2023.
Cited on this site
Editorial & review record
Record for v0.1 · Updated
Editing & copyediting
No completion recordEvidence verification
No completion recordScientific review
Not yet scientifically reviewedMethods review
No completion recordAI assistance
Use not recorded
Scope of this reading note
Based on the original publication’s abstract and bibliographic record. This is a selected reading note, not a systematic appraisal.
- STUDY FUNDING
- Not yet checked against the full publication.
- STUDY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
- Not yet checked against the full publication.
Project support
Founded and supported by Resilio.
Read the editorial standards ↗