Association Of Telomere Shortening With Low Back Pain And The Potential Mediating Role Of Smoking: A Cross-Sectional Study
Our bodies are made of countless cells, and inside each cell, our chromosomes, which carry our genetic information, have protective caps called telomeres. Think of them like the plastic tips on shoelaces that prevent fraying. As we age, or due to certain lifestyle factors, these telomeres naturally get shorter. This shortening is often linked to cellular aging and various age-related health issues.
Low back pain is a very common problem, especially as people get older. Recent research has explored the potential links between cellular aging, as indicated by telomere length, and the experience of chronic low back pain.
A recent study found a significant association: older adults with shorter telomeres were more likely to report low back pain. But the story doesn’t end there. The study also investigated the role of smoking, a known factor that can accelerate telomere shortening.
It turns out that smoking might be a key player in this relationship. The findings suggest that smoking not only contributes to shorter telomeres but also appears to partially explain why shorter telomeres are linked to low back pain. In essence, smoking acts as a “mediator,” influencing both telomere length and the risk of low back pain.
This research highlights that maintaining healthy telomere length could be important for preventing low back pain, and quitting smoking could be a crucial step in that direction. By reducing factors that shorten telomeres, like smoking, we might be able to lessen the risk of developing this common and often debilitating condition.
Source: link to paper