Lifestyle-related Diseases among the Elderly and Younger Citizens Viewed in Different Lights / 日本農村医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

Measures of lifestyle-related diseases affecting and younger citizens need to viewed in different lights.<BR>1) BMI The survival rate was lower among slimmer men. Among elderly men, this was also true even if those who died of cancer were excluded. 2) Serum total cholesterol level The survival rate curve showed only minor differences in the middle-aged male group, but the survival rate was significantly lower in those with low cholesterol levesl (170mg/dl or less) than in those with higher cholesterol levels. However, these differences were negligible when residents who died of cancer were excluded, indicating that the differences were due to the effects of cancer. In the elderly male group, the survival rate in those with low serum total cholesterol levels was apparently lower than in the middle-aged group, and this trend was not changed after exclusion of residents who died of cancer within five years. This finding indicates that the same dietary guidance provided to younger patients should not be provided to elderly hypercholesterolemia patients discovered in basic medical examinations. 3) Serum albumin and serum total cholesterol levels A significant positive correlation was noted in both men and women regardless of age, even if residents who died of cancer were excluded. The correlation increased with age. This finding also indicates that the same dietary guidance should not be given to the elderly and younger groups.