Life span of people who died from cardiovascular diseases in Siberia: a comparative study of two populations.
OBJECTIVE
To assess associations between mean age at death from cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction, acute heart failure, ischemic heart disease and stroke) and sex, education, socio-professional status, marital status, region of residence at birth, month and season of birth and of death in dependence of climatic conditions.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of death certificates in two Siberian cities from 1971 to 1978 (Novosibirsk, south-western Siberia) and from 1968 to 1985 (Mirny, western Yakutia).


METHODS
Analysis of variance, test for seasonality.


RESULTS
A remarkable effect of birthplace on longevity was observed in Novosibirsk. West Russia-born decedents were older than their cause-of-death-matched counterparts born in Siberia. In this city, men died at younger age in spring months compared to the rest of the year. In Mirny, an extreme northern town with a very harsh climate, the life span depended on the duration of living in this region prior to death.


CONCLUSIONS
There was some difference among cardiovascular diagnoses and between the two cities. However, overall, the results offer some support for theories suggesting that early "imprinting" is responsible for the association between life span and region/season of birth.
Novosibirsk State University, Russia. mevlanic@nsk.ru
Vladimir N
VN
Melnikov
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001110:Arctic Regions; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D003644:Death Certificates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D012800:Siberia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors