title: Lifecourse social position and D-dimer; findings from the 1958 British birth cohort.
abstract: The aim is to examine the association of lifecourse socioeconomic position (SEP) on circulating levels of D-dimer. Data from the 1958 British birth cohort were used, social class was determined at three stages of respondents' life: at birth, at 23 and at 42 years. A cumulative indicator score of SEP (CIS) was calculated ranging from 0 (always in the highest social class) to 9 (always in the lowest social class). In men and women, associations were observed between CIS and D-dimer (P<0.05). Thus, the respondents in more disadvantaged social classes had elevated levels of D-dimer compared to respondents in less disadvantaged social class. In multivariate analyses, the association of disadvantaged social position with D-dimer was largely explained by fibrinogen, C-reactive protein and von Willebrand Factor in women, and additionally by smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity in men. Socioeconomic circumstances across the lifecourse at various stages also contribute independently to raised levels of D-dimer in middle age in women only. Risk exposure related to SEP accumulates across life and contributes to raised levels of D-dimer. The association of haemostatic markers and social differences in health may be mediated by inflammatory and other markers.
authors.affiliation: Third Sector Research Centre, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Faiza
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tabassum
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom; ISER, Essex University, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Meena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rumley
authors.affiliation: Centre for Pediatric Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Child Health, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Power
authors.affiliation: Division of Population Health Sciences and Education, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Strachan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lowe
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis*; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood; D012923:Social Class; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein