Midlife Inflammation Tied to Slowing of Gait Speed in Later Life
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, June 14, 2024 -- Inflammation in midlife may contribute to clinically meaningful late-life slowing of gait speed, according to a study published online June 12 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Kirby G. Parker, M.D., from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, and colleagues examined the relationship between midlife inflammation and late-life mobility, along with the influences of chronic health conditions, race, and social determinants of health (SDoH). Analysis included 4,758 community-dwelling participants with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) measured in midlife at study visit 2 (1990–1992; 47 to 68 years); at visit 4 (1996 to 1998; 53 to 74 years); and late-life (visit 5: 2011 to 2013; mean 75 years).
The researchers found that high midlife hsCRP was associated with slower late-life gait speed, even among those without chronic conditions in midlife (−4.6 cm/second). Among those who never experienced obesity, diabetes, or hypertension, sustained high hsCRP was associated with a 20-year slowing of −10.0 cm/second. Findings were similar for both Black participants (−3.8 cm/second) and White participants (−3.3 cm/second) per interquartile range of midlife hsCRP. Chronic conditions and race had no effect modifications throughout. In all participants, worse SDoH was associated with higher inflammation and slower gait speed.
"Regular monitoring of inflammation during wellness visits and other preventative programs may be warranted for all people, adding value alongside other common chronic condition measures," the authors write.
One author disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted June 2024
Read this next
Common Medications Tied to Older Age at Onset of Parkinson Disease
FRIDAY, April 25, 2025 -- Multiple common medications are associated with a considerable delay of Parkinson disease (PD) symptom onset, according to a study published online March...
Proinflammatory Diet Tied to Higher Risk for Chronic Kidney Disease
WEDNESDAY, April 23, 2025 -- Individuals who eat a proinflammatory diet have a higher likelihood of chronic kidney disease, according to a review published online April 16 in...
Bladder Wall Thickness Reflects Severity of Bladder Inflammatory Conditions
FRIDAY, March 7, 2025 -- For patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), bladder wall thickness (BWT) on computed tomography (CT) scans reflects the...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.