Sense of coherence, lifestyle choices and mortality.
BACKGROUND
Based on data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer, Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk) study, we have previously shown a strong sense of coherence (SOC) to be associated with a reduced rate of all-cause mortality.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the extent to which the SOC mortality association can be explained by socioeconomic status and lifestyle choices.


METHODS
Prospective population-based cohort study.


METHODS
18 287 study participants aged 41-80 years who reported no pre-existing chronic disease at baseline and who completed an assessment of SOC.


RESULTS
Based on 1599 deaths during a mean follow-up of 8.3 years, a strong SOC was associated with a 20% reduced risk of all-cause mortality. Measures of lifestyle choice (cigarette smoking, physical activity, dietary intakes of fruit, vegetables and fibre) and socioeconomic status (social class and education) explained 23% of this association.


CONCLUSIONS
The SOC concept embraces multiple sets of chronic disease risk factors that include lifestyle choices and those associated with socioeconomic status, and is a potential aid in understanding differences in health outcomes in similar individuals.
Wainwright
N W J
NW
Strangeways Research Laboratory, Worts Causeway, Cambridge CB1 8RN, UK. nick.wainwright@srl.cam.ac.uk
Surtees
P G
PG
Welch
A A
AA
Luben
R N
RN
Khaw
K-T
KT
Bingham
S A
SA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002755:Choice Behavior; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012923:Social Class