1
|
Ogaz-González R, Corpeleijn E, García-Chanes RE, Gutierréz-Robledo LM, Escamilla-Santiago RA, López-Cervantes M. Assessing the relationship between multimorbidity, NCD configurations, frailty phenotypes, and mortality risk in older adults. BMC Geriatr 2024; 24:355. [PMID: 38649809 PMCID: PMC11034053 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-04948-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older adults are increasingly susceptible to prolonged illness, multiple chronic diseases, and disabilities, which can lead to the coexistence of multimorbidity and frailty. Multimorbidity may result in various noncommunicable disease (NCD) patterns or configurations that could be associated with frailty and death. Mortality risk may vary depending on the presence of specific chronic diseases configurations or frailty. METHODS The aim was to examine the impact of NCD configurations on mortality risk among older adults with distinct frailty phenotypes. The population was analyzed from the Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study Cohort (CRELES). A total of 2,662 adults aged 60 or older were included and followed for 5 years. Exploratory factor analysis and various clustering techniques were utilized to identify NCD configurations. The frequency of NCD accumulation was also assessed for a multimorbidity definition. Frailty phenotypes were set according to Fried et al. criteria. Kaplan‒Meier survival analyses, mortality rates, and Cox proportional hazards models were estimated. RESULTS Four different types of patterns were identified: 'Neuro-psychiatric', 'Metabolic', 'Cardiovascular', and 'Mixt' configurations. These configurations showed a higher mortality risk than the mere accumulation of NCDs [Cardiovascular HR:1.65 (1.07-2.57); 'Mixt' HR:1.49 (1.00-2.22); ≥3 NCDs HR:1.31 (1.09-1.58)]. Frailty exhibited a high and constant mortality risk, irrespective of the presence of any NCD configuration or multimorbidity definition. However, HRs decreased and lost statistical significance when phenotypes were considered in the Cox models [frailty + 'Cardiovascular' HR:1.56 (1.00-2.42); frailty + 'Mixt':1.42 (0.95-2.11); and frailty + ≥ 3 NCDs HR:1.23 (1.02-1.49)]. CONCLUSIONS Frailty accompanying multimorbidity emerges as a more crucial indicator of mortality risk than multimorbidity alone. Therefore, studying NCD configurations is worthwhile as they may offer improved risk profiles for mortality as alternatives to straightforward counts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Ogaz-González
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of México, Sixth Floor, Building B, 411A Circuito Escolar, Copilco Universidad, Mexico City, Coyoacán, 04360, Mexico
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eva Corpeleijn
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Ricardo Antonio Escamilla-Santiago
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of México, Sixth Floor, Building B, 411A Circuito Escolar, Copilco Universidad, Mexico City, Coyoacán, 04360, Mexico
| | - Malaquías López-Cervantes
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of México, Sixth Floor, Building B, 411A Circuito Escolar, Copilco Universidad, Mexico City, Coyoacán, 04360, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Aliberti SM, Donato A, Funk RHW, Capunzo M. A Narrative Review Exploring the Similarities between Cilento and the Already Defined "Blue Zones" in Terms of Environment, Nutrition, and Lifestyle: Can Cilento Be Considered an Undefined "Blue Zone"? Nutrients 2024; 16:729. [PMID: 38474857 DOI: 10.3390/nu16050729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Longevity is rightly considered one of the greatest achievements of modern society, not only as a function of lifespan, but, more importantly, as a function of healthspan. There are Longevity Blue Zones (LBZs), regions around the world, such as in Okinawa, Japan; the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica; Loma Linda, California; Icaria, Greece; and Ogliastra, Sardinia, that are characterized by a significant percentage of residents who live exceptionally long lives, often avoiding age-related disability to a significantly higher degree than in the Western way of life. Longevity is not a universal phenomenon, so if there are places in the world with characteristics similar to the LBZs, it is important to identify them in order to better understand what other factors, in addition to the known ones, might contribute to a long and healthy life. This narrative review aims to identify common factors between Cilento and the five LBZs, taking into account environmental, nutritional, and lifestyle factors. Articles from 2004 to the present, limited to studies published in English, German, and Italian, were searched in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The co-authors agreed on 18 final reference texts. In order to evaluate the similarities between Cilento and the LBZs, a descriptive comparative approach was used. Cilento and the LBZs share several common factors, including a hilly altitude ranging from 355 to 600 m; a mild climate throughout the year, with temperatures between 17.4 and 23.5 degrees Celsius; traditional professions, such as agriculture and animal husbandry; and a predominantly Mediterranean or plant-based diet, with typical recipes based on legumes, tubers, vegetables, and extra virgin olive oil. Additionally, maintenance of strong intergenerational family relationships, religious devotion, and social relationships within the community are also prevalent. Given the similarities to Cilento, one might wonder if this is an LBZ waiting to be discovered. The lessons learned from this discovery could be applied to the general population to protect them from non-communicable chronic diseases and help slow the aging process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Mirella Aliberti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081 Salerno, Italy
| | - Antonio Donato
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081 Salerno, Italy
| | - Richard H W Funk
- Institute of Anatomy, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Dresden International University (DIU), 01067 Dresden, Germany
| | - Mario Capunzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081 Salerno, Italy
- Complex Operational Unit Health Hygiene, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", 84131 Salerno, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Micro- and Macronutrient Intake in Elderly Costa Ricans: The Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study (CRELES). Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15061446. [PMID: 36986176 PMCID: PMC10054313 DOI: 10.3390/nu15061446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Costa Rica, a middle-income country in Central America, has a life expectancy similar or even higher than richer countries. This survival advantage is more evident among the elderly, who have one of the lowest mortality rates in the world. Dietary factors may play a role in this extended longevity. We have shown that a traditional rural diet is associated with longer leukocyte telomere length—a biomarker of aging—among elderly Costa Ricans. In the present study, we used data from the Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study (CRELES) to characterize further rural and urban diets of the elderly (60+ years). A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess usual diet. We used energy-adjusted regression models to compare the intake of micro- and macronutrients between rural and urban regions of the country. Elderly rural residents had a higher consumption of carbohydrates (but lower glycemic index), fiber, dietary iron, and used more palm oil for cooking than elderly urban dwellers. On the other hand, elderly subjects living in urban areas had a higher intake of total fat, mono and polyunsaturated fat, alcohol and dietary calcium compared to elderly rural residents. Our results are similar to earlier reports of middle-aged Costa Ricans and add to the characterization of diet differences in rural and urban regions of the country.
Collapse
|
4
|
Galvani-Townsend S, Martinez I, Pandey A. Is life expectancy higher in countries and territories with publicly funded health care? Global analysis of health care access and the social determinants of health. J Glob Health 2022; 12:04091. [PMID: 36370409 PMCID: PMC9653205 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.12.04091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To better understand factors influencing life expectancy, this paper examines how the availability of publicly funded health care in a country and multiple social determinants of health impact longevity of life. Methods In this descriptive statistical analysis, data regarding publicly funded health care, life expectancy, and social determinants of health were obtained for 196 countries and 4 territories. Social determinants included 10 indicators detailing country-level information to represent 5 key categories: economic stability, education, health & health care, neighbourhood & built environment, and social & community context. Analyses consisted of: 1) comparison of mean life expectancy among countries and territories with- and without- publicly funded health care; 2) correlations in life expectancy across social determinants by health care access and level of burden; and 3) correlations in life expectancy within social determinants for health care access by level of burden. Results Overall, life expectancy in countries and territories with- publicly funded health care (Mean (m) = 76.7 years) was significantly longer compared to countries and territories without- publicly funded health care (m = 66.8 years, P < 0.0001). For each social determinant, we observed longer life expectancy continued to be associated with publicly funded health care access across stratum (P < 0.0001), but difference in years of life expectancy existed both by burden of social determinant, as well as access to health care within quartiles of burden (Publicly funded care (yes): 68.12-80.88 years, (no): 62.39-77.33 years, all P < 0.05). Both social determinants as well as the availability of publicly funded health care were individually and simultaneously associated with mean longevity of life between countries and territories worldwide. Conclusions These findings demonstrate how, if made widely available, publicly funded health care could extend longevity of life. If combined with programs to reduce the burden of social determinants, a substantial impact can be made to promote more equitable distribution of life expectancies across the world. Ultimately, both access to publicly funded care and reducing inequalities in social determinants are needed in order to promote longer and healthier aging in populations worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Galvani-Townsend
- Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis (CIDMA), Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Isabel Martinez
- Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis (CIDMA), Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Abhishek Pandey
- Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis (CIDMA), Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Coto-Vílchez C, Martínez-Magaña JJ, Mora-Villalobos L, Valerio D, Genis-Mendoza AD, Silverman JM, Nicolini H, Raventós H, Chavarria-Soley G. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling in nonagenarians suggests an effect of PM20D1 in late onset Alzheimer's disease. CNS Spectr 2021; 28:1-27. [PMID: 34911598 DOI: 10.1017/s109285292100105x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study is to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in the genomes of a sample of cognitively healthy individuals and a sample of individuals with LOAD, all of them nonagenarians from Costa Rica.MethodsIn this study, we compared whole blood DNA methylation profiles of 32 individuals: 21 cognitively healthy and 11 with LOAD, using the Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip. First, we calculated the epigenetic age of the participants based on Horvath’s epigenetic clock. DMRcate and Bumphunter were used to identify DMRs. After in silico and knowledge-based filtering of the DMRs, we performed a methylation quantitative loci (mQTL) analysis (rs708727 and rs960603).ResultsOn average, the epigenetic age was 73 years in both groups, which represents a difference of over 20 years between epigenetic and chronological age in both affected and unaffected individuals. Methylation analysis revealed 11 DMRs between groups, which contain six genes and two pseudogenes. These genes are involved in cell cycle regulation, embryogenesis, synthesis of ceramides, and migration of interneurons to the cerebral cortex. One of the six genes is PM20D1, for which altered expression has been reported in LOAD. After genotyping previously reported mQTL SNPs for the gene, we found that average methylation in the PM20D1 DMR differs between genotypes for rs708727, but not for rs960603.ConclusionsThis work supports the possible role of PM20D1 in protection against AD, by showing differential methylation in blood of affected and unaffected nonagenarians. Our results also support the influence of genetic factors on PM20D1 methylation levels.
Collapse
|
6
|
Ruiz-Narváez EA, Baylin A, Azofeifa J, Leal A, Rosero-Bixby L. Diet and Leukocyte Telomere Length in a Population with Extended Longevity: The Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study (CRELES). Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13082585. [PMID: 34444746 PMCID: PMC8401744 DOI: 10.3390/nu13082585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Elderly Costa Ricans have lower mortality rates compared to their counterparts from developed countries. Reasons for this survival advantage are not completely known. In the present study, we aimed to identify dietary factors associated with leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a marker of biologic aging, in the elderly population of Costa Rica. We conducted prospective analysis in 909 participants aged 60+ years from the Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study (CRELES). We used a food frequency questionnaire to assess usual diet. We calculated dietary patterns using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). We used generalized linear models to examine the association of dietary patterns and food groups with leukocyte telomere length. We found two major dietary patterns explaining 9.15% and 7.18% of the total variation of food intake, respectively. The first dietary pattern, which represents a traditional Costa Rican rice and beans pattern, was more frequent in rural parts of the country and was positively associated with baseline LTL: β (95% CI) = 42.0 base-pairs (bp) (9.9 bp, 74.1 bp) per one-unit increase of the traditional dietary pattern. In analysis of individual food groups, intake of grains was positively associated with baseline LTL: β (95% CI) = 43.6 bp (13.9 bp, 73.3 bp) per one-serving/day increase of consumption of grains. Our results suggest that dietary factors, in particular a traditional food pattern, are associated with telomere length and may contribute to the extended longevity of elderly Costa Ricans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edward A. Ruiz-Narváez
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-734-647-0623
| | - Ana Baylin
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jorge Azofeifa
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, Apartado, San Pedro, San José 11501, Costa Rica; (J.A.); (A.L.)
| | - Alejandro Leal
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, Apartado, San Pedro, San José 11501, Costa Rica; (J.A.); (A.L.)
| | - Luis Rosero-Bixby
- Centro Centroamericano de Población, Universidad de Costa Rica, Apartado, San Pedro, San José 11501, Costa Rica;
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Barboza Solís C, Reyes-Carmona J, Fantin R. Social inequality in incidence and mortality of malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx: Is Costa Rica an international paradox? Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2021; 50:243-250. [PMID: 34076287 DOI: 10.1111/cdoe.12658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Low socioeconomic position (SEP) has been associated with higher incidences and mortality of lip, oral cavity and pharynx (LOP) cancers in the vast majority of countries with available data. The origins of health inequalities in cancer are socioeconomic, although they vary by time and country. Evidence from Low-and Middle-income Countries (LMICs) remains scarce. This study aims to identify and describe socioeconomic inequalities in LOP cancers incidence and mortality in Costa Rica. The hypothesis tested is that people leaving in low-SEP districts in Costa Rica have greater incidence and mortality rates of lip, oral cavity and pharynx cancers. METHODS The 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) was used to define cancer sites. Data come from a national population-based Cancer Registry with 100% completeness to study incidence. Incidence rate included all new cases of LOP cancer diagnosed from January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2015, for a total of 2 798 517 individuals, 13 832 524 years of follow-up and 601 LOP cases. Mortality rate was extracted from the National Death Index, including 2 739 733 individuals, 23 950 240 person-years of follow-up and 586 LOP cancer deaths, from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2018. The 2011 Census (with 94% of Costa Rican inhabitants) was used to characterize the urbanicity and wealth of 477 districts. Survival models were performed for both incidence and mortality, allowing to consider existing competitive risks. Cox models were used for incidence, and parametric survival models based on a Gompertz distribution for mortality. RESULTS The study found that people who lived in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas had lower probabilities of developing LOP cancers than people in the richest districts. The same pattern for mortality, however, was not significant. CONCLUSIONS The hypothesis that incidence and mortality of LOP cancers will show a positive social gradient was not confirmed in this study, contradicting the existing literature. This could be explained by the social distribution of risky health behaviours, more frequent in socially advantaged populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Romain Fantin
- Centro Centroamericano de Población, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.,Escuela de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.,Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Is centenarian rate independent from economy? Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2020; 93:104312. [PMID: 33348182 DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2020.104312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Economy development and income are compactly associated with mortality of infant, children, young people, and mid age all over the world, and high income brings higher life expectancy, aging rate and 80+ rate as a result. On the contrary, the relationship between income and centenarian rate is obscure, in China, low income regions have lower life expectancy, lower 80+ rate but higher 90+ rate and 100+ rate before 2000, but 90+ rate and centenarian rate in low income regions fall behind high income regions after 2010. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between regional economic performance and centenarian rate in long period. METHOD Gravity center of five longevity indicators, demographic methodology between age-specific mortality rate and centenarian rate were conducted of 31 provinces in China from 1982 to 2018. We also explored the association between centenarian rate and per capita income using binary logistic regression. RESULTS higher income brings better medical care and mortality rate is sharply decreased, among all age stages, the age 70-84 has the highest number of death, and will get most number of extra lives when the mortality rate decreases, and then 80+ rate will be increased immediately. Meanwhile, the extra 70-84 years people increased denominator of 90+ rate and centenarian rate, then 90+ rate and centenarian rate in higher income region will be fall behind. 10-20 years later, benefited from additional 70-84 years population, the number of 90+ will be largely increased. 20-30 years later, the number of 100+ will be largely increased too. CONCLUSION Income is positively related with lower mortality rate of oldest-old and higher 90+ rate and centenarian rate, although the effect will be lagged for 10-20 years and 20-30 years, respectively.
Collapse
|
9
|
Gojon G, Morales GA. SG1002 and Catenated Divalent Organic Sulfur Compounds as Promising Hydrogen Sulfide Prodrugs. Antioxid Redox Signal 2020; 33:1010-1045. [PMID: 32370538 PMCID: PMC7578191 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2020.8060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Significance: Sulfur has a critical role in protein structure/function and redox status/signaling in all living organisms. Although hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and sulfane sulfur (SS) are now recognized as central players in physiology and pathophysiology, the full scope and depth of sulfur metabolome's impact on human health and healthy longevity has been vastly underestimated and is only starting to be grasped. Since many pathological conditions have been related to abnormally low levels of H2S/SS in blood and/or tissues, and are amenable to treatment by H2S supplementation, development of safe and efficacious H2S donors deserves to be undertaken with a sense of urgency; these prodrugs also hold the promise of becoming widely used for disease prevention and as antiaging agents. Recent Advances: Supramolecular tuning of the properties of well-known molecules comprising chains of sulfur atoms (diallyl trisulfide [DATS], S8) was shown to lead to improved donors such as DATS-loaded polymeric nanoparticles and SG1002. Encouraging results in animal models have been obtained with SG1002 in heart failure, atherosclerosis, ischemic damage, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy; with TC-2153 in Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, age-related memory decline, fragile X syndrome, and cocaine addiction; and with DATS in brain, colon, gastric, and breast cancer. Critical Issues: Mode-of-action studies on allyl polysulfides, benzyl polysulfides, ajoene, and 12 ring-substituted organic disulfides and thiosulfonates led several groups of researchers to conclude that the anticancer effect of these compounds is not mediated by H2S and is only modulated by reactive oxygen species, and that their central model of action is selective protein S-thiolation. Future Directions: SG1002 is likely to emerge as the H2S donor of choice for acquiring knowledge on this gasotransmitter's effects in animal models, on account of its unique ability to efficiently generate H2S without byproducts and in a slow and sustained mode that is dose independent and enzyme independent. Efficient tuning of H2S donation characteristics of DATS, dibenzyl trisulfide, and other hydrophobic H2S prodrugs for both oral and parenteral administration will be achieved not only by conventional structural modification of a lead molecule but also through the new "supramolecular tuning" paradigm.
Collapse
|
10
|
Nieddu A, Vindas L, Errigo A, Vindas J, Pes GM, Dore MP. Dietary Habits, Anthropometric Features and Daily Performance in Two Independent Long-Lived Populations from Nicoya peninsula (Costa Rica) and Ogliastra (Sardinia). Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12061621. [PMID: 32492804 PMCID: PMC7352961 DOI: 10.3390/nu12061621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Longevity Blue Zones (LBZs) are populations characterized by exceptional longevity. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare the food habits of two representative samples of the oldest old subjects from the population residing in the LBZs of Nicoya peninsula (Costa Rica) and in the mountainous part of Ogliastra (Sardinia, Italy). (2) Methods: Data were collected using validated tools, including a food frequency questionnaire, Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scales for functional autonomy, body mass index, and waist and limbs circumferences. (3) Results: A total of 210 subjects, 60 (31 male) from Nicoya (age range 80–109 years), and 150 (61 male) from Ogliastra (age 90–101 years) were included in the study. In both populations, the highest frequencies of consumption were recorded for plant-derived foods (cereals 60–80% daily, legumes ≥ 80% daily in Nicoya, ≥ 60% 2–5 servings/week in Ogliastra), followed by those of animal origin (dairy products, meat) ≥60% and 80% daily, in Nicoya and Ogliastra, respectively. The frequency of milk consumption showed a positive correlation with BADL (ρ = 0.268 for Nicoya and ρ = 0.214 for Ogliastra) and IADL scores (ρ = 0.466 for Nicoya and ρ = 0.471 for Ogliastra), whereas legumes consumption correlated negatively with self-rated health (ρ = −0.264) and IADL (ρ = −0.332). (4) Conclusions: Our results indicate that the dominant dietary model among the elderly of Nicoya and Ogliastra is a plant-based diet complemented by a non-negligible consumption of animal products, mostly dairy products. Further prospective studies are needed to ascertain a possible cause–effect relationship between food habits and increased likelihood of reaching advanced age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Nieddu
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Sperimentali, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 8, I-07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.N.); (G.M.P.)
| | - Laura Vindas
- Asociación Península de Nicoya–Zona Azul, 145-1100 San José, Costa Rica; (L.V.); (J.V.)
| | - Alessandra Errigo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/b, I-07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Jorge Vindas
- Asociación Península de Nicoya–Zona Azul, 145-1100 San José, Costa Rica; (L.V.); (J.V.)
| | - Giovanni Mario Pes
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Sperimentali, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 8, I-07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.N.); (G.M.P.)
- Sardinia Longevity Blue Zone Observatory, 08040 Ogliastra, Italy
| | - Maria Pina Dore
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Sperimentali, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 8, I-07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.N.); (G.M.P.)
- Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-079-229886
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Fantin R, Santamaría-Ulloa C, Barboza-Solís C. Social inequalities in cancer survival: A population-based study using the Costa Rican Cancer Registry. Cancer Epidemiol 2020; 65:101695. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2020.101695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
12
|
Tolu F, Palermo M, Dore MP, Errigo A, Canelada A, Poulain M, Pes GM. Association of endemic goitre and exceptional longevity in Sardinia: evidence from an ecological study. Eur J Ageing 2019; 16:405-414. [PMID: 31798366 DOI: 10.1007/s10433-019-00510-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to test the hypothesis that a high prevalence of endemic goitre, considered as a proxy measure for subclinically reduced thyroid function in the population, is geographically associated with exceptional longevity. Using historical data available for 377 Sardinian municipalities in the first half of the twentieth century, we performed an ecological study to investigate the geographic distribution of goitre and its spatial association with demographic indicators of population longevity. This analysis was conducted by using both conventional ordinary least square and geographically weighted regression models to take into account spatial autocorrelation and included other longevity-associated factors previously identified in Sardinia. The spatial analysis revealed that the goitre rate (p < 0.0001), the proportion of inhabitants involved in pastoralism (p = 0.016), the terrain inclination (p = 0.008), and the distance from the workplace as a proxy for physical activity (p = 0.023) were consistently associated with population longevity at an aggregated level in the 377 municipalities. Within the limits of an ecological study design, our findings support the existence of a significant association between high goitre prevalence and increased probability to survive into old age. The present study confirms previous results and is consistent with animal studies and epidemiological surveys in other long-lived areas known as Blue Zones. Potential mechanisms underlying this association need to be further investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Tolu
- 1S.C. di Endocrinologia, Malattie della Nutrizione e del Ricambio - Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, Sassari, Italy
| | - Mario Palermo
- 1S.C. di Endocrinologia, Malattie della Nutrizione e del Ricambio - Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Pina Dore
- 2Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Ana Canelada
- 4Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública e Historia de la Ciencia, Universidad de Màlaga, Màlaga, Spain
| | - Michel Poulain
- 5Estonian Institute for Population Studies, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Giovanni Mario Pes
- 2Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.,Sardinia Blue Zone Observatory, Sardinia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Costa Rican Mortality 1950-2013: An Evaluation of Data Quality and Trends Compared with Other Countries. DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH 2019; 40:835-864. [PMID: 31156333 DOI: 10.4054/demres.2019.40.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mortality estimates from various sources suggest that Costa Ricans experience record-high life expectancy at birth in Latin America and higher longevity than the populations of many high-income countries, although there is some uncertainty as to the reliability of those estimates. Objective We construct a life table series for Costa Rica to assess the quality of national demographic statistics for the period 1950-2013 and to determine whether reliable mortality estimates can be directly calculated from these data. Methods We apply the methods from the Human Mortality Database (HMD) to national statistics to construct the Costa Rica life table series without adjusting for data quality, and we validate our results through internal consistency by evaluating the plausibility of the mortality patterns and its change over time and through external consistency by comparing our results with those from other sources. Results Our mortality estimates for Costa Rica tend to be lower than others, especially for the period before 1970. They also produce a suspicious age pattern of mortality, with low adult and old-age mortality relative to the infant and child mortality, casting doubt on the quality of national demographic data. Conclusions Other organizations have produced mortality estimates for Costa Rica that are higher than our unadjusted estimates, but it is difficult to evaluate the accuracy of the available estimates. Contribution This analysis provides a more thorough evaluation of data quality issues regarding Costa Rica mortality than previously available. Unadjusted life tables by sex for 1950-2013 are included as supplemental material, together with the raw data upon which those life tables are based and with links to the detailed methods protocol implemented.
Collapse
|
14
|
Payne CF. Aging in the Americas: Disability-free Life Expectancy Among Adults Aged 65 and Older in the United States, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2019; 73:337-348. [PMID: 26347520 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbv076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To estimate and compare disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) and current age patterns of disability onset and recovery from disability between the United States and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Method Disability is measured using the activities of daily living scale. Data come from longitudinal surveys of older adult populations in Costa Rica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States. Age patterns of transitions in and out of disability are modeled with a discrete-time logistic hazard model, and a microsimulation approach is used to estimate DFLE. Results Overall life expectancy for women aged 65 is 20.11 years in Costa Rica, 19.2 years in Mexico, 20.4 years in Puerto Rico, and 20.5 years in the United States. For men, these figures are 19.0 years in Costa Rica, 18.4 years in Mexico, 18.1 years in Puerto Rico, and 18.1 years in the United States. Proportion of remaining life spent free of disability for women at age 65 is comparable between Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States, with Costa Rica trailing slightly. Male estimates of DFLE are similar across the four populations. Discussion Though the older adult population of Latin America and the Caribbean lived many years exposed to poor epidemiological and public health conditions, their functional health in later life is comparable with the older adult population of the United States.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Collin F Payne
- Center for Population and Development Studies, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Trends in Life Expectancy and Its Association with Economic Factors in the Belt and Road Countries-Evidence from 2000⁻2014. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15122890. [PMID: 30562984 PMCID: PMC6313698 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15122890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In 2013, China launched the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative in an effort to promote trade and economic collaboration. This study examined the change in life expectancy (LE) among countries along B&R and studied the impact of economic development on LE. Data from 65 B&R countries from 2000 to 2014 were compiled and analyzed. Trend of LE was examined by sex and country. Linear quantile mixed model was used to study the associations between LE and economic factors. In 2014, the average LE in all B&R countries was 69.7 years for men and 73.7 years for women. Across countries in 2014, LE for men ranged from 58.6 years in Afghanistan to 80.2 years in Israel. LE for women ranged from 61.3 years in Afghanistan to 85.9 in Singapore. GDP per capita was positively associated with longevity across B&R countries. The unemployment rate was positively associated with LE only for countries in the top LE quantiles. GDP growth rate and Inflation were negatively associated with LE for the countries in the bottom LE quantiles for men, not for women. LE increased substantially among B&R countries during 2000⁻2014. The influence of macroeconomic factors on LE was related to the distribution of LE.
Collapse
|
16
|
Paykani T, Rafiey H, Sajjadi H. A fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis of 131 countries: which configuration of the structural conditions can explain health better? Int J Equity Health 2018; 17:10. [PMID: 29357889 PMCID: PMC5778742 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-018-0724-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization Commission On Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) for intersectoral action on health, the well-being of and equity in health within a population are achieved via a complex fusion of policies and actions. In this study, following the CSDH’s approach and considering set-theoretic relations, we aimed to unravel this complexity and answer the kinds of questions that are outside the scope of conventional variable-oriented approach. Methods A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis of 131 countries was conducted to examine the configurational effects of five macro-level structural conditions on life expectancy at birth. The potential causal conditions were level of country wealth, income inequality, quality of governance, education, and health system. The data collected from different international data sources were recorded during 2004–2015. Results The intermediate solution of the truth table analysis indicated a configuration of conditions including high level of governance, education, wealth, and affluent health system to be consistently sufficient for high life expectancy. On the other hand, four configurations, each containing two or three conditions, were consistent with being usually sufficient to cause low life expectancy. Conclusions We were able to configurationally explore the cases and specify the combinations of potentially causal conditions which were usually sufficient to explain high or low life expectancy in different countries. As a result, particular cases were identified for further research. In addition, research may provide support for the CSDH’s recommendations emphasizing the importance of intersectoral action for health. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12939-018-0724-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Toktam Paykani
- Department of Social Welfare, School of Education Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Rafiey
- Department of Social Welfare, School of Education Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Homeira Sajjadi
- Social Welfare Management Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mortality selection among adults in Brazil: The survival advantage of Air Force officers. DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.4054/demres.2017.37.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
|
18
|
Azofeifa J, Ruiz-Narváez EA, Leal A, Gerlovin H, Rosero-Bixby L. Amerindian ancestry and extended longevity in Nicoya, Costa Rica. Am J Hum Biol 2017; 30. [DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Azofeifa
- Escuela de Biología; Universidad de Costa Rica, Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio; San Pedro 2060 San José Costa Rica
| | - Edward A. Ruiz-Narváez
- Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University, 72 East Concord Street, L-7; Boston Massachusetts 02118
- Department of Epidemiology; Boston University School of Public Health; Boston Massachusetts 02118
| | - Alejandro Leal
- Escuela de Biología; Universidad de Costa Rica, Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio; San Pedro 2060 San José Costa Rica
| | - Hanna Gerlovin
- Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University, 72 East Concord Street, L-7; Boston Massachusetts 02118
- Department of Biostatistics; Boston University School of Public Health; Boston Massachusetts 02118
| | - Luis Rosero-Bixby
- Emeritus Professor, Escuela de Estadística and Centro Centroamericano de Población; Universidad de Costa Rica, Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio; San Pedro 2060 San José Costa Rica
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bekelman TA, Santamaría‐Ulloa C, Dufour DL, Marín‐Arias L, Dengo AL. Using the protein leverage hypothesis to understand socioeconomic variation in obesity. Am J Hum Biol 2017; 29. [DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.22953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Traci A. Bekelman
- Department of Pediatrics/Section of NutritionUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAurora Colorado80045
| | - Carolina Santamaría‐Ulloa
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud (INISA), Universidad de Costa RicaSan José Costa Rica
- Escuela de Nutrición, Universidad de Costa RicaSan José Costa Rica
| | - Darna L. Dufour
- Department of AnthropologyUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulder Colorado80309
| | - Lilliam Marín‐Arias
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud (INISA), Universidad de Costa RicaSan José Costa Rica
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Da Mata FAF, Pereira PPDS, de Andrade KRC, Figueiredo ACMG, Silva MT, Pereira MG. Prevalence of Frailty in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160019. [PMID: 27500953 PMCID: PMC4976913 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have experienced a rapid increase in their proportion of older people. This region is marked by a high prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities among aging adults. Frailty appears in the context of LAC negatively affecting quality of life among many older people. AIM To investigate the prevalence of frailty among community-dwelling older people in LAC through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS A literature search was performed in indexed databases and in the grey literature. Studies investigating the prevalence of frailty with representative samples of community-dwelling older people in Latin America and the Caribbean were retrieved. Independent investigators carried out the study selection process and the data extraction. A meta-analysis and meta-regression were performed using STATA 11 software. The systematic review was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews under the number CRD42014015203. RESULTS A total of 29 studies and 43,083 individuals were included in the systematic review. The prevalence of frailty was 19.6% (95% CI: 15.4-24.3%) in the investigated region, with a range of 7.7% to 42.6% in the studies reviewed. The year of data collection influenced the heterogeneity between the studies. CONCLUSION Frailty is very common among older people in LAC. As a result, countries in the region need to adapt their health and social care systems to demands of an older population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Maurício Gomes Pereira
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Rosero-Bixby L, Dow WH. Exploring why Costa Rica outperforms the United States in life expectancy: A tale of two inequality gradients. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:1130-7. [PMID: 26729886 PMCID: PMC4747769 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1521917112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mortality in the United States is 18% higher than in Costa Rica among adult men and 10% higher among middle-aged women, despite the several times higher income and health expenditures of the United States. This comparison simultaneously shows the potential for substantially lowering mortality in other middle-income countries and highlights the United States' poor health performance. The United States' underperformance is strongly linked to its much steeper socioeconomic (SES) gradients in health. Although the highest SES quartile in the United States has better mortality than the highest quartile in Costa Rica, US mortality in its lowest quartile is markedly worse than in Costa Rica's lowest quartile, providing powerful evidence that the US health inequality patterns are not inevitable. High SES-mortality gradients in the United States are apparent in all broad cause-of-death groups, but Costa Rica's overall mortality advantage can be explained largely by two causes of death: lung cancer and heart disease. Lung cancer mortality in the United States is four times higher among men and six times higher among women compared with Costa Rica. Mortality by heart disease is 54% and 12% higher in the United States than in Costa Rica for men and women, respectively. SES gradients for heart disease and diabetes mortality are also much steeper in the United States. These patterns may be partly explained by much steeper SES gradients in the United States compared with Costa Rica for behavioral and medical risk factors such as smoking, obesity, lack of health insurance, and uncontrolled dysglycemia and hypertension.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis Rosero-Bixby
- Centro Centroamericano de Población, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 2060, Costa Rica;
| | - William H Dow
- Centro Centroamericano de Población, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 2060, Costa Rica; Department of Demography, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-2120
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Pulse blood pressure and cardiovascular mortality in a population-based cohort of elderly Costa Ricans. J Hum Hypertens 2015; 30:555-62. [PMID: 26674758 PMCID: PMC4912461 DOI: 10.1038/jhh.2015.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We studied the relationships between blood pressure (BP), pulse pressure (PP) and cardiovascular (CV) death in older adults using data from 2346 participants enrolled in the Costa Rican CRELES study, mean age 76 years (s.d. 10.2), 31% qualified as wide PP. All covariates included and analyzed were collected prospectively as part of a 4-year home-based follow-up; mortality was tracked for an additional 3 years, identifying 266 CV deaths. Longitudinal data revealed little change over time in systolic BP (SBP), a decline in diastolic BP, and widening of PP. Wide PP was associated with higher risk of CV death but only among individuals receiving antihypertensive drug therapy. Individuals with both wide PP and receiving therapy had 2.6 hazard rate of CV death relative to people with normal-PP plus not taking treatment (TRT), even adjusting for SBP. Increasing PP between visits was significantly associated to higher CV death independently of TRT status. SBP and DBP were not significantly associated to CV death when the effect of PP was controlled for. Conclusion: elderly hypertensive patients with wide or increasing PP, especially if receiving TRT, are the highest CV risk group, thus must be carefully assessed, monitored and treated with caution.
Collapse
|
23
|
Spatio-temporal distribution of human lifespan in China. Sci Rep 2015; 5:13844. [PMID: 26346713 PMCID: PMC4561879 DOI: 10.1038/srep13844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on the data of latest three Chinese population censuses (1990–2010), four lifespan indicators were calculated: centenarians per one hundred thousand inhabitants (CH); longevity index (LI); the percentage of the population aged at least 80 years (ultra-octogenarian index, UOI) and life expectancy at birth (LEB). The spatio-temporal distributions of data at Chinese county level show that high-longevity areas (high values of CH and LI) and low-longevity areas (low CH and LI values) both exhibit clear non-uniformity of spatial distribution and relative immobility through time. Contrarily, the distribution of UOI and LEB shows a decline from the east to the west. The spatial autocorrelation analyses indicate less spatial dependency and several discontinuous clusters regions of high-CH and LI areas. The factors of temperature, topography and wet/dry climate lack of significant influence on CH and LI. It can be inferred that, in addition to genetic factor and living custom, some unique and long-term environmental effects may be related with high or low values of CH and LI.
Collapse
|
24
|
Saenz JL, Wong R. A life course approach to mortality in Mexico. SALUD PUBLICA DE MEXICO 2015; 57 Suppl 1:S46-53. [PMID: 26172234 DOI: 10.21149/spm.v57s1.7589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Research on early life socioeconomic status (SES), education and mortality is less established in developing countries. This analysis aims to determine how SES and education are patterned across the life course and associated with adult mortality in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data comes from 2001-2012 Mexican Health & Aging Study (Mexican adults age 50+, n= 11,222). Cox proportional hazard models predict mortality using baseline covariates. RESULTS In unadjusted analyses, similar mortality was seen across levels of early life SES. Lower early life SES was associated with better survival after accounting for education in the younger cohort. Lower education was only associated with mortality in the younger cohort. CONCLUSIONS Early life SES was associated with education but the relationship between education and mortality differed across cohorts in Mexico. Selective survival and differential returns to education may explain differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph L Saenz
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, Estados Unidos de América
| | - Rebeca Wong
- Sealy Center on Aging, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, Estados Unidos de América
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Economic level and human longevity: Spatial and temporal variations and correlation analysis of per capita GDP and longevity indicators in China. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2015; 61:93-102. [DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2015.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
26
|
Kim JI, Kim G. Factors affecting the survival probability of becoming a centenarian for those aged 70, based on the human mortality database: income, health expenditure, telephone, and sanitation. BMC Geriatr 2014; 14:113. [PMID: 25332111 PMCID: PMC4216852 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2318-14-113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background What are the factors that affect the survival probability of becoming a centenarian for those aged 70? Do the factors include income, health expenditure, the use of mobile telephones, or sanitation? The survival probability of becoming a centenarian (SPBC) is defined as an estimate of the production of centenarians by a population. The SPBC (70) is the survival probability of becoming a centenarian for those aged 70. This study estimates the associations between the SPBC (70), and the gross national income, health expenditure, telecommunications, and sanitation facilities in 32 countries. Methods The socioeconomic indicators for this study were obtained from the database of the United Nations Development Programme. In addition, the data for the analysis of centenarians in 32 countries were obtained from the Human Mortality Database, which is maintained by the Department of Demography at the University of California, Berkeley, USA, and the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Rostock, Germany. Associations between socioeconomic indicators and SPBC (70) were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multiple regression models. Results Significant positive correlations were found between the SPBC (70), and the socioeconomic factors of gross national income (GNI), public expenditure on health as a percentage of gross domestic product (PEHGDP), fixed and mobile telephone subscribers (FMTS) as the standard of living, and improved sanitation facilities (ISF). Overall, the SPBC (70) of female and male predictors were used, in order to form a model production of centenarians, with higher GNI and PEHGDP, as well as higher FMTS and ISF as the socioeconomic factors (R2= 0.422, P< 0.001). Conclusions The socioeconomic level in all 32 countries appears to have an important latent effect on the production of centenarians in both females and males. This study has identified the following four important aspects of socioeconomic indicators in the survival probability of becoming a centenarian for those aged 70: higher overall economic development level, public expenditure on health, mobile telephone subscribers as the standard of living, and the use of improved sanitation facilities for healthy aging. Thus, the socioeconomic level seems to affect an important on the survival probability of becoming a centenarian. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2318-14-113) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jong In Kim
- Division of Health and Welfare, Wonkwang University, Iksan 570-749, Republic of Korea.
| | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Valerio D, Raventos H, Schmeidler J, Beeri MS, Villalobos LM, Bolaños P, Carrión-Baralt JR, Fornaguera J, Silverman JM. Association of apolipoprotein E-e4 and dementia declines with age. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2014; 22:957-60. [PMID: 24731780 PMCID: PMC4163532 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2014.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Revised: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the association of dementia with apolipoprotein E-e4 (APOE-e4) and its interaction with age in a nonagenarian Costa Rican group (N-sample) and a general elderly contrast group (GE-sample). METHODS In both case-control studies, participants were cognitively intact or diagnosed with dementia. The N-sample (N = 112) was at least age 90 years; the GE-sample (N = 98) was at least age 65 years. RESULTS Dementia and APOE-e4 were not significantly associated in the N-sample, but were in the GE-sample. There was a significant interaction of age with APOE-e4 in the N-sample, but not in the GE-sample. Descriptively dividing the N-sample at the median (age 93 years) showed a group interaction: APOE-e4 was more associated with dementia in the younger N-sample than in the older N-sample, where six of seven APOE-e4 carriers were cognitively intact. CONCLUSIONS The results support the reduction in association of APOE-e4 with dementia in extreme old age, consistent with a survivor effect model for successful cognitive aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Valerio
- Hospital Nacional de Geriatría y Gerontología de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica,School of Medicine, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, CR
| | - Henriette Raventos
- Centro de Investigación en Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, CR,Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, CR
| | - James Schmeidler
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michal S. Beeri
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA,Friedman Brain Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA,The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Lara Mora Villalobos
- Centro de Investigación en Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, CR
| | | | - José R. Carrión-Baralt
- Gerontology Program, Department of Human Development, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
| | - Jaime Fornaguera
- Centro de Investigación en Neurociencias, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, CR
| | - Jeremy M. Silverman
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA,Friedman Brain Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA,Research and Development Service, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Rosero-Bixby L, Dow WH, Rehkopf DH. The Nicoya region of Costa Rica: a high longevity island for elderly males. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 11:109-136. [PMID: 25426140 DOI: 10.1553/populationyearbook2013s109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Reliable data show that the Nicoyan region of Costa Rica is a hot spot of high longevity. A survival follow-up of 16,300 elderly Costa Ricans estimated a Nicoya death rate ratio (DRR) for males 1990-2011 of 0.80 (0.69-0.93 CI). For a 60-year-old Nicoyan male, the probability of becoming centenarian is seven times that of a Japanese male, and his life expectancy is 2.2 years greater. This Nicoya advantage does not occur in females, is independent of socio-economic conditions, disappears in out-migrants and comes from lower cardiovascular (CV) mortality (DRR = 0.65). Nicoyans have lower levels of biomarkers of CV risk; they are also leaner, taller and suffer fewer disabilities. Two markers of ageing and stress-telomere length and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate-are also more favourable. The Nicoya diet is prosaic and abundant in traditional foods like rice, beans and animal protein, with low glycemic index and high fibre content.
Collapse
|
29
|
Rehkopf DH, Dow WH, Rosero-Bixby L, Lin J, Epel ES, Blackburn EH. Longer leukocyte telomere length in Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula: a population-based study. Exp Gerontol 2013; 48:1266-73. [PMID: 23988653 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2013.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Revised: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Studies in humans suggest that leukocyte telomere length may act as a marker of biological aging. We investigated whether individuals in the Nicoya region of Costa Rica, known for exceptional longevity, had longer telomere length than those in other parts of the country. After controlling for age, age squared, rurality, rainy season and gender, the mean leukocyte telomere length in Nicoya was substantially longer (81 base pairs, p<0.05) than in other areas of Costa Rica, providing evidence of a biological pathway to which this notable longevity may be related. This relationship remains unchanged (79 base pairs, p<0.05) after statistically controlling for nineteen potential biological, dietary and social and demographic mediators. Thus the difference in the mean leukocyte telomere length that characterizes this unique region does not appear to be explainable by traditional behavioral and biological risk factors. More detailed examination of mean leukocyte telomere length by age shows that the regional telomere length difference declines at older ages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David H Rehkopf
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, United States.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Rosero-Bixby L, Dow WH. Predicting mortality with biomarkers: a population-based prospective cohort study for elderly Costa Ricans. Popul Health Metr 2012; 10:11. [PMID: 22694922 PMCID: PMC3507767 DOI: 10.1186/1478-7954-10-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2012] [Accepted: 05/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Little is known about adult health and mortality relationships outside high-income nations, partly because few datasets have contained biomarker data in representative populations. Our objective is to determine the prognostic value of biomarkers with respect to total and cardiovascular mortality in an elderly population of a middle-income country, as well as the extent to which they mediate the effects of age and sex on mortality. Methods This is a prospective population-based study in a nationally representative sample of elderly Costa Ricans. Baseline interviews occurred mostly in 2005 and mortality follow-up went through December 2010. Sample size after excluding observations with missing values: 2,313 individuals and 564 deaths. Main outcome: prospective death rate ratios for 22 baseline biomarkers, which were estimated with hazard regression models. Results Biomarkers significantly predict future death above and beyond demographic and self-reported health conditions. The studied biomarkers account for almost half of the effect of age on mortality. However, the sex gap in mortality became several times wider after controlling for biomarkers. The most powerful predictors were simple physical tests: handgrip strength, pulmonary peak flow, and walking speed. Three blood tests also predicted prospective mortality: C-reactive protein (CRP), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). Strikingly, high blood pressure (BP) and high total cholesterol showed little or no predictive power. Anthropometric measures also failed to show significant mortality effects. Conclusions This study adds to the growing evidence that blood markers for CRP, HbA1c, and DHEAS, along with organ-specific functional reserve indicators (handgrip, walking speed, and pulmonary peak flow), are valuable tools for identifying vulnerable elderly. The results also highlight the need to better understand an anomaly noted previously in other settings: despite the continued medical focus on drugs for BP and cholesterol, high levels of BP and cholesterol have little predictive value of mortality in this elderly population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis Rosero-Bixby
- University of California at Berkeley, School of Public Health, 239 University Hall, #7360, Berkeley, CA, 94720-7360, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Zheng H, Yang Y, Land KC. Heterogeneity in the Strehler-Mildvan general theory of mortality and aging. Demography 2012; 48:267-90. [PMID: 21347805 DOI: 10.1007/s13524-011-0013-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This study examines and further develops the classic Strehler-Mildvan (SM) general theory of mortality and aging. Three predictions from the SM theory are tested by examining the age dependence of mortality patterns for 42 countries (including developed and developing countries) over the period 1955-2003. By applying finite mixture regression models, principal component analysis, and random-effects panel regression models, we find that (1) the negative correlation between the initial adulthood mortality rate and the rate of increase in mortality with age derived in the SM theory exists but is not constant; (2) within the SM framework, the implied age of expected zero vitality (expected maximum survival age) also is variable over time; (3) longevity trajectories are not homogeneous among the countries; (4) Central American and Southeast Asian countries have higher expected age of zero vitality than other countries in spite of relatively disadvantageous national ecological systems; (5) within the group of Central American and Southeast Asian countries, a more disadvantageous national ecological system is associated with a higher expected age of zero vitality; and (6) larger agricultural and food productivities, higher labor participation rates, higher percentages of population living in urban areas, and larger GDP per capita and GDP per unit of energy use are important beneficial national ecological system factors that can promote survival. These findings indicate that the SM theory needs to be generalized to incorporate heterogeneity among human populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zheng
- Department of Sociology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0088, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Rosero-Bixby L, Dow WH. Surprising SES Gradients in mortality, health, and biomarkers in a Latin American population of adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2009; 64:105-17. [PMID: 19196695 PMCID: PMC2654981 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbn004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2008] [Accepted: 09/08/2008] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To determine socioeconomic status (SES) gradients in the different dimensions of health among elderly Costa Ricans. HYPOTHESIS SES disparities in adult health are minimal in Costa Rican society. METHODS Data from the Costa Rican Study on Longevity and Healthy Aging study: 8,000 elderly Costa Ricans to determine mortality in the period 2000-2007 and a subsample of 3,000 to determine prevalence of several health conditions and biomarkers from anthropometry and blood and urine specimens. RESULTS The ultimate health indicator, mortality, as well as the metabolic syndrome, reveals that better educated and wealthier individuals are worse off. In contrast, quality of life-related measures such as functional and cognitive disabilities, physical frailty, and depression all clearly worsen with lower SES. Overall self-reported health (SRH) also shows a strong positive SES gradient. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes and cholesterol are not significantly related to SES, but hypertension and obesity are worse among high-SES individuals. Reflecting mixed SES gradients in behaviors, smoking and lack of exercise are more common among low SES, but high calorie diets are more common among high SES. CONCLUSIONS Negative modern behaviors among high-SES groups may be reversing cardiovascular risks across SES groups, hence reversing mortality risks. But negative SES gradients in healthy years of life persist.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis Rosero-Bixby
- Central American Population Center and Institute for Health Research, University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica.
| | | |
Collapse
|