Lifestyle, Biological Risk Markers, Morbidity and Mortality in a Cohort of Men 33 - 42 Years Old at Baseline, after 24-Year Follow-Up of a Primary Health Care Intervention

Objective: To study changes in lifestyle and biological risk markers in a 24-year follow-up study, and occurrences of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer and total mortality from official registers. Design: A 24-year follow-up survey and register study of a cohort of men 33 - 42 years old, examined with a health profile at baseline. With the health profile based on lifestyle, biological risk markers, self-rated mental stress and mental health, the men were separated in different risk groups. Setting: Primary health care center of Habo in Sweden. Subjects: All 757 men, 33 - 42 years old, and living in the community of Habo in Sweden in 1985. Main Outcome Measures: Lifestyle, biological risk markers, morbidity from CVD and cancer, and total mortality. Results: Smoking and physical activity decreased during follow-up time while alcohol consumption increased. Biological risk markers, except diastolic blood pressure, deteriorated significantly with age. Based on three- lifestyle groups, 16 % of the men had a more favorable lifestyle and 19% had a less favorable life-style at follow-up compared with baseline. The men, who had been classified as high-risk, based on the health profile at baseline, had a significantly higher incidence of CVD and cancer in the register study compared to men in a low-risk group. The baseline non-participant group had a significantly higher incidence of CVD and a higher mortality compared to the low-risk group. Conclusion: A health profile with a combination of lifestyle factors and biological risk markers can already at the age of 33 - 42 years predict incidence of CVD and cancer on group level among men after 24 years.