INTRODUCTION: We tested the bidirectional association between epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), a marker of biological aging, and metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of conditions that together increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions, at different time points.

METHODS: A random sample of 962 Hispanic/Latino adults participating in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos were included in the analyses. At baseline, the mean age was 44.8 years, 61.5% of participants were female, and prevalence of MetS was 35.4%. DNA methylation was measured from whole blood, at two different time points six years apart, using the Illumina EPIC BeadChip and epigenetic age and EAA were calculated using the PhenoAge, GrimAge, and DunedinPACE algorithms. MetS was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines, in which a diagnosis is met when participants meet at least 3 of the 5 conditions: elevated waistline/abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, high blood triglycerides, and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

RESULTS: In cross-sectional analyses, higher PhenoAA (PR, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.01, 1.05), GrimAA (PR, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.01, 1.09), and DunedinPACE values (PR, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.02, 1.04) were associated with higher MetS prevalence. Over an average follow-up of six years, higher DunedinPACE values at baseline were associated with higher risk of incident MetS (Risk Ratio (RR), 95% CI: 1.04, 1.02, 1.05). Faster DunedinPACE rates (vs. average) were associated with higher risk of incident MetS (RR, 95% CI: 1.44, 1.07, 1.94), whereas slower DunedinPACE rates (vs. average) were associated with lower risk (RR, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.23, 0.87).

CONCLUSION: The study suggests EAA is a potential indicator of both prevalent and incident MetS among Hispanic/Latino adults.