Physical ailments increase the risk of premature death. Now studies confirm that PTSD and other mental health problems are also associated with early death. In recent years, researchers built a reliable biomarker (a measurable sign in the body) called the “GrimAge” marker. It is a genetic marker that can predict the risk of early death. A new study looked at people with PTSD plus other conditions. Using the GrimAge test, it confirmed their risk of premature death. There are post-traumatic stress disorder treatments available that can improve outcomes and reduce the risk of premature death. It is easy to see that people with chronic physical illness are more likely to die early than healthier adults. Studies also show that people with mental health disorders are at risk of premature death too. These are not just things doctors have noticed. Researchers have also built lab tests that may help predict the risk of early death. One simple way to predict how long a person with PTSD or another mental disorder will live is a general health checkup. Also, if a person has other physical illnesses like diabetes or dementia, that person is more likely to die early. But without physical illness, predicting the risk of premature death is harder. Even then, doctors can use lab tests. They can measure inflammation, changes in the blood, and metabolic health such as blood cholesterol, and more. It appears that researchers have now developed a better way to predict the risk of premature death. They found a certain change in the DNA of cells. This change is called the “GrimAge” biomarker. After years of work, researchers found that the “GrimAge” genetic biomarker is quite good at predicting the risk of premature death. Get this point clear. This marker does not measure biological aging. It is used to predict early death. Now that researchers have a marker that predicts early death, they can go further. They can study the risk of premature death in mental health conditions like PTSD. In the new study, researchers tested young patients with PTSD and other conditions like substance abuse. They found the “GrimAge” biomarker in these young patients. People with the “GrimAge” biomarker also show other changes. These include poor memory, declining thinking skills, inflammation, heart and metabolic disease, astrocyte damage (harm to support cells in the brain), a weak or misfiring immune system, and more. Researchers could also show changes on brain scans. These are some of the early studies aimed at predicting premature death. Until now, most clinical studies focus on diagnosing physical illness and predicting the risk of early death. But now researchers have a more reliable tool. By knowing the risk of premature death, even without any serious illness, researchers can now look for new treatments to extend life. These studies may help us enter a whole new era. Medicine would not just manage illness. It would also act early to extend life. It also means that in the future, we may see drugs that may extend life, not just treat illness. The good news: researchers can already detect very low levels of molecules associated with premature death. So they can spot the risk of early death years or even decades before a person gets any physical illness. Spotting the risk early gives doctors enough time to act. As a result, they can take steps to reverse the harm that stress and other mental health disorders do to health.
Frequently asked questions
Does PTSD shorten life expectancy?
PTSD is associated with a higher risk of early death. A new study looked at young patients with PTSD and other conditions such as substance abuse. Using the GrimAge biomarker, it found a risk of premature death. Those patients also showed poor memory, declining thinking skills, inflammation, heart and metabolic disease, astrocyte damage and a weak or misfiring immune system. Their brain scans showed changes too.
What is the GrimAge test?
GrimAge is a biomarker based on a certain change in the DNA of cells. Years of research show it is good at predicting the risk of premature death. It does not measure biological aging. Its job is to predict early death. It can detect very low levels of the molecules tied to that risk.
Can doctors predict early death risk before illness appears?
More and more, yes. A general checkup and physical illnesses such as diabetes or dementia have long pointed to higher risk. Without physical illness, doctors use lab tests for inflammation, blood changes and metabolic health such as cholesterol. GrimAge goes further. It can flag risk years or even decades before any physical illness shows up. That gives time to act.
Can treatment lower the risk linked to PTSD?
Yes. Treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder are available. They can improve outcomes and reduce the risk of premature death. Catching the risk early matters because it gives doctors time to act. They can take steps to reverse the harm that stress and other mental health disorders do to the body.
Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP
