TY - JOUR
T1 - Predictors of C-reactive protein in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project
AU - McDade, Thomas W.
AU - Lindau, Stacy Tessler
AU - Wroblewski, Kristen
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors would like to acknowledge research assistance provided by Dima Qato, PharmD, MPH, in relation to classification of the medication data. Dr. Qato is a paid employee of S.T.L. whose effort on this manuscript was supported by the National Opinion Research Center—University of Chicago Center on Aging Core on Biomeasures in Population-Based Health and Aging Research. We also thank Bhairavi Nallanathan, Andreea Mihai, and Alina Fomovska, paid undergraduate staff members in the laboratory of S.T.L., for research assistance. Author Contributions: T.W.M. conceptualized the analyses and prepared the manuscript. S.T.L. was involved in the design and execution of data collection for the NSHAP and contributed to data interpretation and manuscript preparation. K.W. implemented statistical analyses and assisted with manuscript preparation.
PY - 2011/1
Y1 - 2011/1
N2 - Objective. Inflammation plays an important role in many chronic degenerative diseases associated with aging, and social, economic, and behavioral factors that contribute to inflammation may lead to differential burdens of morbidity and mortality in later life. This study examines socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity as predictors of C-reactive protein (CRP) among older adults in the United States and considers the degree to which health behaviors, medical conditions and medication use, and psychosocial factors account for these associations. Methods. Multiple linear regression analysis of survey data for 1,580 participants, 57-85 years of age, in a population-based nationally representative sample of community-residing older adults in the United States. Results. Educational attainment, household wealth, and race/ethnicity were independently associated with CRP, with limited evidence for interactions with age. Health-related behaviors and usage of medications related to inflammation accounted for substantial proportions of these associations. Discussion. These results highlight the fundamental causes of inflammation among older adults and suggest pathways through which social disparities in inflammation may be reduced.
AB - Objective. Inflammation plays an important role in many chronic degenerative diseases associated with aging, and social, economic, and behavioral factors that contribute to inflammation may lead to differential burdens of morbidity and mortality in later life. This study examines socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity as predictors of C-reactive protein (CRP) among older adults in the United States and considers the degree to which health behaviors, medical conditions and medication use, and psychosocial factors account for these associations. Methods. Multiple linear regression analysis of survey data for 1,580 participants, 57-85 years of age, in a population-based nationally representative sample of community-residing older adults in the United States. Results. Educational attainment, household wealth, and race/ethnicity were independently associated with CRP, with limited evidence for interactions with age. Health-related behaviors and usage of medications related to inflammation accounted for substantial proportions of these associations. Discussion. These results highlight the fundamental causes of inflammation among older adults and suggest pathways through which social disparities in inflammation may be reduced.
KW - Aging
KW - Health disparities
KW - Inflammation
KW - Social determinants of health
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U2 - 10.1093/geronb/gbq008
DO - 10.1093/geronb/gbq008
M3 - Article
C2 - 20172904
AN - SCOPUS:79951997023
SN - 1079-5014
VL - 66 B
SP - 129
EP - 136
JO - Journals of Gerontology - Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
JF - Journals of Gerontology - Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
IS - 1
ER -
