Dataset Information

Parental lifespan and the likelihood of reaching the age of 90?years in the Netherlands Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Growing evidence suggests an association between parental longevity and lifespan of subsequent generations. We aimed to reproduce earlier findings, showing a positive association between parental longevity and offspring's longevity. Additionally, we investigated whether this is mainly driven by the maternal or paternal germline in male and female offspring.

Methods

For these analyses, data from the oldest birth cohort (1916-17) of the Netherlands Cohort Study was used. Participants filled in a baseline questionnaire in 1986 (at age 68-70?years). Follow up for vital status information until the age of 90?years (2006-07) was >99.9% complete. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analyses with a fixed follow-up time were based on 2368 men and 2657 women with complete parental survival data and relevant confounders to calculate risk ratios (RR) of reaching longevity.

Results

In age-adjusted models, paternal and maternal age at death were significantly positively associated with reaching 90?years in both male and female offspring. In male offspring, paternal age at death (?90?years vs <80?years) showed the strongest association with survival to 90?years (RR 1.42, 95% CI 1.07-1.89), after confounder correction. In female offspring, maternal age at death (?90?years vs <80?years) showed the strongest association with survival to 90?years (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.04-1.40).

Discussion

After confounder adjustment, stronger and significant associations were observed between paternal lifespan and male offspring longevity, and maternal lifespan and female offspring longevity. Future research should investigate through which pathways a longer lifespan of parents is transmitted to their offspring. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 215-221.

SUBMITTER: Brandts L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7898670 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Parental lifespan and the likelihood of reaching the age of 90 years in the Netherlands Cohort Study.

Brandts Lloyd L van Poppel Frans Wa FW van den Brandt Piet A PA

Geriatrics & gerontology international 20201226 2

<h4>Aim</h4>Growing evidence suggests an association between parental longevity and lifespan of subsequent generations. We aimed to reproduce earlier findings, showing a positive association between parental longevity and offspring's longevity. Additionally, we investigated whether this is mainly driven by the maternal or paternal germline in male and female offspring.<h4>Methods</h4>For these analyses, data from the oldest birth cohort (1916-17) of the Netherlands Cohort Study was used. Partici ...[more]

PMID: 33368897

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