Weight change in later life and risk of death amongst the elderly: the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Elderly Network on Ageing and Health study.
OBJECTIVE
Later life weight change and mortality amongst elders.


METHODS
Nested case-control study.


METHODS
Six countries from the European Investigation into Cancer and nutrition-Elderly, Network on Ageing and Health.


METHODS
A total of 1712 deceased (cases) and 4942 alive (controls) were selected from 34,239 participants, > or = 60 years at enrolment (1992-2000) who were followed-up until March 2007. Annual weight change was estimated as the weight difference from recruitment to the most distant from-date-of-death re-assessment, divided by the respective time.


METHODS
Mortality in relation to weight change was examined using conditional logistic regression.


RESULTS
Weight loss > 1 kg year(-1) was associated with statistically significant increased death risk (OR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.41-1.92) compared to minimal weight change (+/-1 kg year(-1)). Weight gain > 1 kg year(-1) was also associated with increased risk of death (OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 0.98-1.37), but this was evident and statistically significant only amongst overweight/obese (OR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.17-2.05). In analyses by time interval since weight re-assessment, the association of mortality with weight loss was stronger for the interval proximal (< 1 year) to death (OR = 3.10; 95% CI: 2.03-4.72). The association of mortality with weight gain was stronger at the interval of more than 3 years and statistically significant only amongst overweight/obese (OR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.07-2.33). Similar patterns were observed regarding death from circulatory diseases and cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
In elderly, stable body weight is a predictor of lower subsequent mortality. Weight loss is associated with increased mortality, particularly short-term, probably reflecting underlying nosology. Weight gain, especially amongst overweight/obese elders, is also associated with increased mortality, particularly longer term.
Bamia
C
C
Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. cbamia@nut.uoa.gr
Halkjaer
J
J
Lagiou
P
P
Trichopoulos
D
D
Tjønneland
A
A
Berentzen
T L
TL
Overvad
K
K
Clavel-Chapelon
F
F
Boutron-Ruault
M-C
MC
Rohrmann
S
S
Linseisen
J
J
Steffen
A
A
Boeing
H
H
May
A M
AM
Peeters
P H
PH
Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita
H
H
van den Berg
S W
SW
Dorronsoro
M
M
Barricarte
A
A
Rodriguez Suarez
L
L
Navarro
C
C
González
C A
CA
Boffetta
P
P
Pala
V
V
Hallmans
G
G
Trichopoulou
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D009765:Obesity / Q000401:mortality; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015430:Weight Gain; D015431:Weight Loss