Magnus T Jensen1,2,3,4,5, Jacob L Marott2,6, Andreas Holtermann2,7,8, Finn Gyntelberg2,3,7. 1. Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev-Gentofte, Kildegaardsvej 28, Hellerup, Denmark. 2. The Copenhagen Male Study, Epidemiological Research Unit, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Lersø Parkallé 105, Copenhagen, Denmark. 3. Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, Denmark. 4. William Harvey Research Institute, NIHR Barts Biomedical Centre, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, UK. 5. Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew s Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, West Smithfield, London, UK. 6. The Copenhagen City Heart Study, Frederiksberg Hospital, Nordre Fasanvej 57, Frederiksberg, Denmark. 7. National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkalle 105, Copenhagen, Denmark. 8. Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, Odense, Denmark.
Abstract
AIMS: As a consequence of modern urban life, an increasing number of individuals are living alone. Living alone may have potential adverse health implications. The long-term relationship between living alone and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, however, remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: Participants from The Copenhagen Male Study were included in 1985-86 and information about conventional behavioural, psychosocial, and environmental risk factors were collected. Socioeconomic position (SEP) was categorized into four groups. Multivariable Cox-regression models were performed with follow-up through the Danish National Registries. A total of 3346 men were included, mean (standard deviation) age 62.9 (5.2) years. During 32.2 years of follow-up, 89.4% of the population died and 38.9% of cardiovascular causes. Living alone (9.6%) was a significant predictor of mortality. Multivariable risk estimates were [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval)] 1.23 (1.09-1.39), P = 0.001 for all-cause mortality and 1.36 (1.13-1.63), P = 0.001 for cardiovascular mortality. Mortality risk was modified by SEP. Thus, there was no association in the highest SEP but for all other SEP categories, e.g. highest SEP for all-cause mortality 1.01 (0.7-1.39), P = 0.91 and 0.94 (0.6-1.56), P = 0.80 for cardiovascular mortality; lowest SEP 1.58 (1.16-2.19), P = 0.004 for all-cause mortality and 1.87 (1.20-2.90), P = 0.005 for cardiovascular mortality. Excluding participants dying within 5 years of inclusion (n = 274) did not change estimates, suggesting a minimal influence of reverse causation. CONCLUSIONS: Living alone was an independent risk factor for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality with more than three decades of follow-up. Individuals in middle- and lower SEPs were at particular risk. Health policy initiatives should target these high-risk individuals. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved.
AIMS: As a consequence of modern urban life, an increasing number of individuals are living alone. Living alone may have potential adverse health implications. The long-term relationship between living alone and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, however, remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS:Participants from The Copenhagen Male Study were included in 1985-86 and information about conventional behavioural, psychosocial, and environmental risk factors were collected. Socioeconomic position (SEP) was categorized into four groups. Multivariable Cox-regression models were performed with follow-up through the Danish National Registries. A total of 3346 men were included, mean (standard deviation) age 62.9 (5.2) years. During 32.2 years of follow-up, 89.4% of the population died and 38.9% of cardiovascular causes. Living alone (9.6%) was a significant predictor of mortality. Multivariable risk estimates were [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval)] 1.23 (1.09-1.39), P = 0.001 for all-cause mortality and 1.36 (1.13-1.63), P = 0.001 for cardiovascular mortality. Mortality risk was modified by SEP. Thus, there was no association in the highest SEP but for all other SEP categories, e.g. highest SEP for all-cause mortality 1.01 (0.7-1.39), P = 0.91 and 0.94 (0.6-1.56), P = 0.80 for cardiovascular mortality; lowest SEP 1.58 (1.16-2.19), P = 0.004 for all-cause mortality and 1.87 (1.20-2.90), P = 0.005 for cardiovascular mortality. Excluding participants dying within 5 years of inclusion (n = 274) did not change estimates, suggesting a minimal influence of reverse causation. CONCLUSIONS: Living alone was an independent risk factor for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality with more than three decades of follow-up. Individuals in middle- and lower SEPs were at particular risk. Health policy initiatives should target these high-risk individuals. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved.
Authors: Trine Bernholdt Rasmussen; Britt Borregaard; Pernille Palm; Rikke Elmose Mols; Anne Vinggaard Christensen; Knud Juel; Ola Ekholm; Charlotte Brun Thorup; Lars Thrysoee; Marie Gjengedal; Selina Kikkenborg Berg Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2021-07-22 Impact factor: 4.147