The order in which diseases develop can affect a person’s lifespan. Rhiannon Owen, professor of statistics at Swansea University, mentioned this Speech.
The scientists analyzed data from more than 1.6 million patients over the age of 25 with psychosis, diabetes and congestive heart failure. They were followed for about 20 years. Together, these diseases can lead to a significant reduction in life expectancy.
The scientists found that the order in which people develop these diseases affects their lifespan.
The greatest loss in life expectancy was seen in people who developed diabetes, followed by psychosis, followed by congestive heart failure, with an average of 13 years. There was also a higher risk of developing the next long-term illness within five years of the last diagnosis.
But the development of new conditions did not always reduce life expectancy. For example, people diagnosed with psychosis and diabetes had higher life expectancy than people diagnosed with psychosis alone. In this case, the order of development of states did not matter. The authors believe that regular check-ups with a diabetes doctor can prolong the lives of people with other diseases.
Congestive heart failure was the most dangerous condition. Alone and in combination with psychosis (in any order), it had the same effect on life expectancy as the worst combination of diabetes, psychosis, and congestive heart failure (in that order).
This is the first study to examine how the order of development of chronic diseases affects a person’s life expectancy. Future studies may evaluate the impact of screening programs and interventions on life extension.
More than 25% of adults in the UK have two or more chronic conditions. This figure rises to 65% for people over the age of 65 and almost 82% for people aged 85 and over.
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