High polygenic risk score for exceptional longevity is associated with a healthy metabolic profile

Healthy metabolic measures in humans are associated with longevity. Dysregulation leads to metabolic syndrome (MetS) and negative health outcomes. Recent exceptional longevity (EL) genome wide association studies have facilitated estimation of an individual’s polygenic risk score (PRS) for EL. We tested the hypothesis that individuals with high ELPRS have a low prevalence of MetS. Participants were from five cohorts of middle-aged to older adults. The primary analyses were performed in the UK Biobank (UKBB) ( n = 407,800, 40–69 years). Replication analyses were undertaken using three Australian studies: Hunter Community Study ( n = 2122, 55–85 years), Older Australian Twins Study ( n = 539, 65–90 years) and Sydney Memory and Ageing Study ( n = 925, 70–90 years), as well as the Swedish Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies ( n = 2273, 70–93 years). MetS was defined using established criteria. Regressions and meta-analyses were performed with the ELPRS and MetS and its components. Generally, MetS prevalence (22–30%) was higher in the older cohorts. In the UKBB, high EL polygenic risk was associated with lower MetS prevalence (OR = 0.94, p = 1.84 × 10 –42 ) and its components ( p < 2.30 × 10 – 8 ). Meta-analyses of the replication cohorts showed nominal associations with MetS ( p = 0.028) and 3 MetS components ( p < 0.05). This work suggests individuals with a high polygenic risk for EL have a healthy metabolic profile promoting longevity.