Sense of purpose in life and inflammation in healthy older adults: A longitudinal study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A higher sense of purpose in life has been linked with reduced risk of age-related chronic health conditions that share elevated inflammation as a key risk factor (e.g., neurodegenerative diseases, heart disease, and diabetes). While prior research has documented cross-sectional associations between higher sense of purpose and lower inflammation, few studies have examined the association between purpose and changes in inflammation over time.

Objective

We tested if a higher sense of purpose was prospectively associated with lower likelihood of developing unhealthy C-reactive protein levels in older adults who initially had healthy CRP levels (i.e., <3 ug/mL).

Methods

Participants were 6925 adults aged > 50 in the Health and Retirement Study who were followed

SUBMITTER: Guimond AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9149071 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature