Mental vulnerability as a predictor of early mortality.
BACKGROUND
Studies have demonstrated that mental vulnerability (ie, a tendency to experience psychosomatic symptoms or inadequate interpersonal interactions) is associated with various diseases. The objective of our study is to evaluate whether mental vulnerability is a risk factor for early mortality.


METHODS
We conducted a prospective cohort study of 3 random samples of the population in Copenhagen County, Denmark selected in 1976, 1982-1984, and 1991 (n = 6435). Baseline data collection included measures of mental vulnerability, social factors, comorbidity, biologic risk markers (eg, blood pressure, lipid levels), and lifestyle factors. We determined vital status of the study sample through linkage to the Civil Registration System until 2001 and to the Cause of Death Registry until 1998. The mean follow-up time was 15.9 years for analysis of total mortality and 13.6 years for analysis of mortality as the result of natural causes. The association between mental vulnerability and survival was examined using Kaplan-Meir plots and Cox proportional-hazard models adjusting for possible confounding factors.


RESULTS
With respect to mental vulnerability, 79% of the sample was classified as not vulnerable, 13% as moderately vulnerable, and 8% as highly vulnerable. Compared with the nonvulnerable group, highly vulnerable persons showed increased total mortality (hazard ratio = 1.6; 95% confidence interval = 1.3-1.9) and increased mortality from natural causes (1.6; 1.2-2.0). The inclusion of the mental vulnerability score as a continuous variable gave similar results.


CONCLUSIONS
Mental vulnerability may be an independent risk factor for premature mortality. The biologic mechanisms that may underlie this association need further exploration.
Eplov
Lene Falgaard
LF
Copenhagen County Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Glostrup University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. Flagaard@dadlnet.dk
Jørgensen
Torben
T
Birket-Smith
Morten
M
Segel
Stine
S
Johansen
Christoffer
C
Mortensen
Erik Lykke
EL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality*; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality*; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D035862:Vulnerable Populations