Ageing, dementia, and the mortality experience of older Lebanese people: findings from a prospective cohort study

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundAgeing is a foremost predictor of mortality and neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia, a global priority ageing‐related sequelae that significantly influence quality of life. There is limited published knowledge of the survival experience of the rapidly ageing Lebanese population. This study examined the mortality experience of older Lebanese adults and assessed the influence of ageing, dementia, and other covariates on all‐cause mortality hazard.MethodsCOLDS (Cohort of Older Lebanese Adults) is a prospective population‐based study of Lebanese participants aged ≥65 years at baseline, along with their designated informants. In this study, 476 participants consented to follow‐up out of 502 surveyed at baseline for dementia, and 344 had their mortality status assessed after 3 years. Proportionate, age‐specific and crude mortality rates were estimated while, Cox proportional regression model of mortality hazard was built, adjusted for covariates.ResultsAfter 3.34±0.69 person‐years, 114 deaths were observed among participants yielding an age‐adjusted death rate of 32.2% (95% CI. 31.2, 33.2). Cardiovascular diseases were the commonest (50%) reported cause of death. Dementia and age were not statistically significantly associated with mortality. Literacy, place of residence, religion, physical activity, and diabetes were significantly associated with mortality at 95% confidence level.ConclusionsBeing physically active was the most powerful protective factor against mortality among the older adults, while living in Beirut, the capital city, heightened death‐risk. These findings have extensive implications for more research, which is crucial to improving health system policies and action in support of healthy ageing.