Associations between GrimAge acceleration and pulmonary function in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study.

Background

The objective of this research was to determine whether pulmonary function is associated with epigenetic aging (GrimAge) and whether GrimAge predicts emphysema.

Methods

This prospective study examined 1042 participants enrolled as part of a community-based longitudinal cohort. The cross-sectional associations between pulmonary function and GrimAge, measured at study year (Y) 20 (participant ages 40-45 years), and prospective associations with emphysema at Y25 were examined.

Results

At Y20, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) were negatively associated with GrimAge; for Y0-Y10 cumulative measures, only the FEV1/FVC ratio was associated with GrimAge at Y15 and Y20. Emphysema at Y25 was associated with GrimAge at Y15 and Y20.

Conclusion

Pulmonary function was associated with GrimAge during early and mid-life; GrimAge partially mediated the association between pulmonary function and emphysema.