Figure 4.Multivariable modelling of longitudinal rates of change in leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and whole blood mitochondrial DNA (WB mtDNA) content. Final selected multivariable linear regression models of longitudinal ΔLTL/year (variance inflation factor (VIF) ≤1.5) in (A) all, (B) HIV+, and (C) HIV- participants, and WB ΔmtDNA content/year (VIF≤1.2) in (D) all, (E) HIV+, and (F) HIV- participants. Final models among all participants were selected automatically by minimizing Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC). Statistical significance depicted by red confidence intervals; negative standardized β values indicate associations with either faster LTL loss or faster WB mtDNA content loss and vice versa. Coefficients of determination (R2) are shown for each model. The ΔLTL/year models show that after adjusting for age and LTL at baseline, ethnicity, and substance use, a slower loss of WB mtDNA/year is significantly independently associated with faster LTL attrition. Similarly, the models for WB ΔmtDNA content/year show that after adjusting for LTL and WB mtDNA at baseline, a slower rate of LTL attrition is independently associated with faster loss of WB mtDNA content. Detectable HIV viremia was associated with faster decline in both markers.
