Mortality risk factors in community-dwelling, subjectively healthy, Swiss older adults: update after 8-years follow-up

Abstract

Abstract Background Worldwide population is ageing, but little is known regarding risk factors associated with increased mortality in subjectively healthy, community-dwelling older adults. We present the updated results of the longest follow-up carried out on Swiss pensioners and we provide results on potential risk factors associated with mortality before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods Within the SENIORLAB study, we collected demographic data, anthropometric measures, medical history, and laboratory parameters of 1467 subjectively healthy, community-dwelling, Swiss adults aged ≥ 60 years over a median follow-up of 8.79 years. The variables considered in the multivariable Cox-proportional hazard model for mortality during follow-up were selected based on prior knowledge. Two separate models for males and females were calculated; moreover, we fitted the old model obtained in 2018 to the complete follow-up data to highlight differences and similarities. Results The population sample included 680 males and 787 females. Age of participants ranged between 60 and 99 years. We experienced 208 deaths throughout the entire follow-up period; no patients were lost at follow-up. The Cox-proportional hazard regression model included female gender, age, albumin levels, smoking status, hypertension, osteoporosis and history of cancer within predictors of mortality over the follow-up period. Consistent findings were obtained also after gender stratification. After fitting the old model, female gender, hypertension, and osteoporosis still showed statistically significant independent associations with all-cause mortality. Conclusions Understanding the predictors of a healthy survival can improve the overall quality of life of the ageing population and simultaneously reduce their global economic burden. Trial registration The present study was registered in the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number registry: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN53778569 (registration date: 27/05/2015).