To identify combined risk profiles (i.e., depression, T2D) in midlife women and determine if microRNAs (miRs) associated with high-risk profiles provide insights into multimorbidity.
Approach:
Key Findings:
Two distinct profiles were identified: a high-risk profile characterized by younger age, higher adiposity, glycemic biomarkers, and depression symptom burden, and a low-risk profile.
MiR-320a and miR-320c were associated with increased odds of high-risk profile assignment.
A co-expression cluster enriched for miRs from the miR-320 family (PC3) was significantly associated with increased odds of high-risk profile assignment.
Black race was associated with at least threefold higher odds of high-risk profile assignment.
Interpretation:
The study highlights distinct multimorbid risk profiles in midlife women.
Limitations:
The study is based on a secondary analysis of data from the DPP trial, which may limit generalizability.
The sample size may not fully represent the diversity of midlife women.
Conclusion:
Findings reveal mechanisms that may underlie the risk for co-occurrence of T2D and depression in midlife women.
