| Title: | Sex-Specific Association of Telomere Length with Individualized Expected Years of Life Lost among 203,731 Males and 241,668 Females |
| Journal: | Biomedical and Environmental Sciences |
| Published: | 20 Dec 2025 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41472458/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.3967/bes2025.053 |
Publication 17076
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Abstract
Objective: Telomere length is a key aging biomarker, but its sex-specific impact on individualized life expectancy remains uncertain. This study explores sex differences in leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and individualized expected years of life lost (YLL).</p>
Methods: A prospective cohort of 445,399 participants (203,731 males and 241,668 females) from the UK Biobank was analyzed. LTL values were log-transformed, and YLL was calculated using life tables. Multiple linear regression was applied to examine sex-specific associations.</p>
Results: In males, each standard deviation (S.D.) increase in LTL was linked to a 0.965-year decrease in YLL (95% CI: -1.025, -0.900; P < 0.001). In females, longer LTL was related to a 0.102-year increase in YLL (95% CI: 0.057, 0.146; P < 0.001). Among postmenopausal females, LTL showed a protective effect similar to that in males (0.387-year decrease, 95% CI: -0.446, -0.328; P < 0.001), while premenopausal females exhibited a detrimental association (0.705-year increase, 95% CI: 0.625, 0.785; P < 0.001). Comparable trends were observed across major aging-related diseases, pointing to a consistent biological pattern.</p>
Conclusion: The influence of LTL on life expectancy varies significantly by sex, with protective associations seen in males and postmenopausal females. This suggests hormonal involvement in telomere dynamics. The results support integrating sex-specific perspectives into aging and telomere research and clinical practice.</p>
15 Keywords
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Aging
- Female
- Humans
- Leukocytes
- Life Expectancy
- Longevity
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prospective Studies
- Sex Factors
- Telomere
- Telomere Homeostasis
10 Authors
- Fei Fei Xu
- Chen Jie Li
- Yi Fan Wang
- Xiao Wang
- Yumnah Babar
- Shuang Liang
- Fan Yang
- Zha Zheng He
- Hong Gang Yi
- Jun Cheng Dai
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 79151 | Uncover the associations of lifestyle behaviors, telomere length, metabolic markers and PhenoAge. |
Enabling scientific discoveries that improve human health