Telomere length and common disease: study design and analytical challenges

摘要: Telomeres, the repetitive sequences that protect ends of chromosomes, help to maintain genomic integrity and are key importance human health. The aim here is give an overview evidence for telomere length (TL) risk common disease, considering strengths weaknesses different epidemiological study designs. Methods measuring TL described, all which subject considerable measurement error. declines with age varies in relation factors such as smoking obesity. It also highly heritable (estimated heritability ~40 50 %), genome-wide studies have identified a number associated genetic variants. Epidemiological shown shorter be diseases, including cardiovascular disease some cancers. relationship cancer appears complex, longer telomeres higher Prospective between where measured before diagnosis, numerous advantages over retrospective studies, since they avoid problems reverse causality differences sample handling, but still potential confounding. Studies predictors these drawbacks, although not without limitations. Telomere biology major complexities only now beginning understood.