The geographic patterns of the exceptional longevity in Croatia

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Title (croatian): Zemljopisni obrazac iznimne dugovječnosti u Hrvatskoj
• Author: Marija Mašanović
• Author: Selma Šogorić
• Author: Ivana Kolčić
• Author: Ivo Curić
• Author: Ankica Smoljanović
• Author: Senad Ramić
• Author: Matija Čala
• Author: Ozren Polašek
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Public Health and Health Care

Abstract (english)

The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the exceptional longevity patterns in Croatia. The prevalence of nonagenarians (aged 90 years or more) and centenarians (100 years or more) was calculated from the 1953–2001 census data. The data were analyzed with chi-square test and trend analysis. The results indicate steady and significant increasing trends in both age groups, more pronounced in women. Geographical distribution of the exceptional longevity had a clear coastline-to-mainland gradient, with higher prevalence of exceptionally old people in the coastal parts of the country. Additionally, exceptionally old respondents from the Croatian Adult Health Survey (CAHS) were compared to elderly ones (65–89 years old). The results suggested that exceptionally old respondents had lower prevalence of overweight and obesity and lower blood pressure, thus exhibiting strong survivor phenomenon. At the same time, exceptionally old respondents from the CAHS had higher prevalence of confirmed hypertension in medical history and reported taking blood pressure medication more often. The results of this study suggest that the pattern of exceptional longevity in Croatia has a clear coastline-to-mainland gradient, which is likely to be associated with the different lifestyle and dietary patterns between these two populations.

Abstract (croatian)

Cilj ovog istraživanja je bio prikazati pregled iznimne dugovječnosti u Hrvatskoj. Izračunata je pojavnost devedesetogodišnjaka i stogodišnjaka na temelju podataka iz popisa stanovništva iz godina 1953–2001., i analizirana pomoći hi-kvadrat testa i analize trenda. Rezultati ukazuju na stabilan i statistički značajan trend porasta u obje dobne skupine, koji je bio snažnije izražen kod žena. Zemljopisni obrazac iznimne dugovječnosti pokazao je jasan primorsko-kontinentalni gradijent, s više iznimno starih osoba u primrskom dijelu Hrvatske. Dodatno smo u ovom radu usporedili zdravstvene pokazatelje ispitanika iz Hrvatske zdravstvene ankete iz 2003. godine. Stogodišnjaci i devedesetogodišnjaci su imali bolje zdravstvene pokazatelje od ispitanika koji su imali između 65 i 89 godina. Iznimno stari ispitanici su imali mnogo manju učestalost povišenog krvnog tlaka i povećane tjelesne težine, stoga ukazujući na snažan fenomen preživljenja. Istovremeno, iznimno stari ispitanici imali su veću učestalost povišenog krvnog tlaka u anamnezi, kao i veću učestalost korištenja lijekova za krvni tlak. Rezultati studije potvrđuju jasan gradijent iznimno starih ispitanika obilježen većom dugovječnošću u primorskim dijelovima Hrvatske, koji je moguće povezan s drugačijim životnim i prehrambenim navikama.

• Keywords (english): Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Croatia/epidemiology; Female; Humans; Hypertension/epidemiology; Linear Models; Longevity; Male; Obesity/epidemiology; Overweight/epidemiology; Prevalence; Residence Characteristics
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Collegium Antropologicum
• Numbering: vol. 33, no. S. 1, pp. 147-152
• p-ISSN: 0350-6134
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:341141
• Publication: 2009-04
• Document URL: https://hrcak.srce.hr/39742
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-28 11:17:57