title: Association of education and receiving social transfers with allostatic load in the Swiss population-based CoLaus study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allostatic load reflects cumulative exposure to stressors throughout lifetime and has been associated with several adverse health outcomes. It is hypothesized that people with low socioeconomic status (SES) are exposed to higher chronic stress and have therefore greater levels of allostatic load.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the association of receiving social transfers and low education with allostatic load.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 3589 participants (1812 women) aged over 35years and under retirement age from the population-based CoLaus study (Lausanne, Switzerland, 2003-2006). We computed an allostatic load index aggregating cardiovascular, metabolic, dyslipidemic and inflammatory markers. A novel index additionally including markers of oxidative stress was also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Men with low vs. high SES were more likely to have higher levels of allostatic load (odds ratio (OR)=1.93/2.34 for social transfers/education, 95%CI from 1.45 to 4.17). The same patterns were observed among women. Associations persisted after controlling for health behaviors and marital status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low education and receiving social transfers independently and cumulatively predict high allostatic load and dysregulation of several homeostatic systems in a Swiss population-based study. Participants with low SES are at higher risk of oxidative stress, which may justify its inclusion as a separate component of allostatic load.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (IUMSP), Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Edouard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nicod
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (IUMSP), Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stringhini
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (IUMSP), Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marques-Vidal
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (IUMSP), Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paccaud
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Waeber
authors.affiliation: ESSEC Business School, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lamiraud
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vollenweider
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (IUMSP), Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: Murielle.Bochud@chuv.ch.
authors.forename: Murielle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bochud
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D052636:Allostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013557:Switzerland
keywords: Allostatic load; Chronic stress; Education; Oxidative stress; Population-based; Socioeconomic status