Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Adverse Childhood Events, and Buccal Cell Telomere Length in Elderly Swiss Former Indentured Child Laborers

摘要: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with increased risk for age-related diseases and early mortality. Accelerated biological aging could contribute to this elevated risk. The aim of the present study was assess buccal cell telomere length (BTL) - a proposed marker age - in men women without PTSD. role childhood trauma assessed as potential additional factor shorter length. sample included 62 former indentured Swiss child laborers (age: M = 76.19, SD = 6.18) 58 healthy controls M = 71.85, SD = 5.97). Structured clinical interviews were conducted screen PTSD other psychiatric disorders. Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) used exposure. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction measure BTL. Covariates include age, sex, years education, self-evaluated financial situation, depression, mental physical functioning. Forty-eight (77.42%) screened positive trauma, 21 (33.87%) had partial or full-blown Results did not support our hypotheses that would be In fact, results revealed trend toward longer BTL participants full [F(2,109) = 3.27, p = 0.04, η(2) = 0.06], marginally higher CTQ scores (age adjusted: β = 0.17 [95% CI: -0.01 0.35], t = 1.90, p = 0.06). Furthermore, within-group analyses indicated no significant association between scores. To best knowledge, first exploring older individuals Contrary predictions, there differences adjusted analyses, adversity Possible explanations future research possibilities are discussed.