Study Design and Methods
What type of epidemiologic study design was used in this research?
A prospective cohort study
What is allostatic load?
The biologic burden of chronic stress
Name one weakness/limitation in this study
Limited diversity (> 94% white study population, ages 40-69)
Selection Bias (voluntary participation)
Single AL baseline measurement
Where did the researchers get their participants from?
The UK Biobank
How many biomarkers were used to measure allostatic load index?
10
What was higher baseline allostatic load positively associated with?
Increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide
Name all three dependent variables
Depression, anxiety, and suicide
What were the three categories that researches grouped biomarkers in?
Metabolic, inflammatory, and cardiovascular
Does this study prove that high allostatic load causes depression, anxiety, or suicide? Why or Why not?
No. It shows an association, but observational studies cannot prove causation.