Allostatic load – a challenge to measure multisystem physiological dysregulation. Pathways Node at NCRM.

Allostatic load is a sub-clinical dysregulation state, resulting from the body’s response to stress. Allostatic load accumulates gradually over the life course and affects a number of physiological systems. Measuring multisystem dysregulation , and changes in it over time, is very challenging. In this paper, we discuss composite measures used to capture allostatic load and the challenges involved in deriving and using these measures. Our focus is on measuring allostatic load in later life.