Association between biological age acceleration and arthritis among older adults in Colombia: a cross-sectional analysis of SABE Colombia

Background: Arthritis is a leading cause of disability, but its association with biological ageing is poorly understood in Latin America.Methods: We analyzed 3,385 elderly adults from the nationally representative 2015 SABE Colombia survey using a cross-sectional design. Biological age was estimated using the Klemera and Doubal method (KDMAge), and biological age acceleration (ΔKDMAge) was defined as the residual from regressing KDMAge (absolute values) on chronological age. Associations between continuous, quartile-based and binary ΔKDMAge and arthritis were examined using multivariable logistic and modified Poisson regression models adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. Sex-by-ΔKDMAge interactions were tested.Results ΔKDMAge >0 was observed in 52.4% of participants with arthritis. Mean KDMAge was higher in participants with arthritis (70.4 ± 8.78 vs 68.6 ± 8.34 years). Each one-year increase in ΔKDMAge was associated with 3% higher odds and 2% higher prevalence of arthritis (OR = 1.03; 95% CI = 1.01–1.05; PR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.01–1.03). The highest versus lowest quartile had 29% higher odds and 17% higher prevalence (OR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.05–1.60; PR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.03–1.34).Conclusions Higher ΔKDMAge was associated with arthritis among older Colombians, supporting its potential as a musculoskeletal health marker.