all-cause mortality
CRF a Predictor in All-Cause Mortality
CRF is an acronym for cardiorespiratory fitness and NOT chronic renal failure in this analysis.
Friends and Mortality
Well – What Are Friends For? A Longer Life – NYTimes.com
There was a time in my working career when I complained about the lack of a social life. Work, take care of family, work, repeat. Well, a couple of years ago I started reconnecting. My significant other was truly amazed. I was amazed.
Add this to your list of stuff underwriters don’t routinely ask about. A 22% reduction in risk is significant. Be sure to read the Australian study abstract. Then tell your boss you’re designing the first mortality risk friendship questionnaire.
One Double Cheeseburger and a Side of Increased Mortality Risk
No, I don’t want fries. I would like some chili-cheese fries please.
Size Matters – J-Shaped Mortality Curve With BMI
While browsing the online Lancet website I came accross the following article. A J-shaped mortality curve should come as no surprise.
The Lancet, Early Online Publication, 18 March 2009
doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60318-4Cite or Link Using DOI
Editors’ note: Around the world, increasing body-mass index (BMI) is a major public concern. Rightly so, according to this international collaborative analysis of almost 1 million people, followed from middle age in 57 prospective studies. A J-shaped mortality curve is observed, with optimal survival at a BMI of 22•5–25 kg/m2. Above this range, mortality from several causes—especially vascular diseases—was increased. Moderate obesity (BMI 30–35) was associated with 3 years’ loss of life. People with extreme obesity (BMI 40–50) lost 10 years of life, equivalent to the years lost by lifetime smoking.
AF + DM = 61% Greater Risk of All-Cause Mortality
Among the findings:
- Over 4.3 years of follow-up, 879 patients died and 53% of those deaths were from cardiovascular causes
- 15% of the deaths occurred in patients with atrial fibrillation
- Atrial fibrillation was associated with a 77% risk of cardiovascular death (P<0.0001) and a 68% increase in risk of death from heart failure (P=0.0002) over the course of the study
- Atrial fibrillation was associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke (P=0.0006)
- 26% of patients with atrial fibrillation at baseline were on anticoagulant therapy
- Among patients taking oral anticoagulant therapy at baseline, the “adjusted HRs associated with [atrial fibrillation] were 2.16 (95% CI 1.15 to 4.07; P=0.02) and 2.32 (95% CI 1.06 to 5.12, P=0.04) for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death, respectively.”
Increased Physical Activity Produces a Reduction in Mortality
The reduction in mortality in this study was comparable to quitting smoking.
More on Naps
So, are we gonna develop a napping drill down questionnaire???
I would be cautious using the results of this study. The naps may be the result of underlying medical conditions and not the causative factor for increased mortality.
Higher CV Risk and All-Cause Mortality – Pay Attention to Your GFR
The results of this study seem sort of obvious to me but still may be of some benefit for the younger members of our profession.
Vitamin D and All-Cause Mortality
Follow this link to The American Academy of Dermatology homepage to download a PDF version of the AAD’s position statement on Vitamin D. We are seeing a lot more older age applicants and it is critical for underwriters to factor in low Vitamin D levels when assessing such risks.
Very few foods in nature contain Vitamin D (but you already knew that, didn’t you?).
Low levels of Vitamin D have a higher risk of all-cause mortality.
Click this link to access a good article on Vitamin D deficiency and higher all-cause mortality.
Primary Care Metabolic Group – Vitamin D Deficiency
May I recommend a couple of glasses of soymilk daily?
