Share:
Fast online test can calculate our life expectancy
Based on the data from the so-called "UK Biobank", Swedish scientists have determined factors that significantly influence early mortality risk and develop an online test that predicts the likelihood of death in the next five years. Participating middle-aged men and women have to answer various questions and then learn how high their personal mortality risk is.
A test calculates relative life expectancy. (Image: RioPatuca Images / fotolia) Life expectancy is also dependent on social factors
For many people it is a tempting idea to know their own life expectancy, for others it is almost a horror idea. The risk calculator, which researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm have developed on the basis of data from the UK Biobank, is intended to do just that. On the basis of different questions about the state of health, lifestyle and family structures, such as "How many cars do you own?", "How many children did you have?" And "Have you ever received a cancer diagnosis from a doctor?" individual health risk can be determined and statements can be made as to whether or not someone will leave their life within that period.
The Swedish researchers Andrea Ganna from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and Professor Erik Ingelsson from the University of Uppsala have used the UK Biobank to analyze 655 factors that have an impact on early mortality risk. Later, they identified 13 factors for men and 11 for women who had a high impact and seemed fit for a prediction of mortality. They summarized these factors in questions and developed from it the UK Longevity Explorer test (short UbbLE test). Since then, brave people can test online the likelihood of their own death in the next five years. The results of the Swedish studies were published in the journal "The Lancet".
After 13 questions, participants experience their risk of dying
The online test is only for UK participants between the ages of 40 and 70 and starts with questions about age and gender. But the next question is already a little outlandish in terms of the risk of death. Here, the participants should state how many cars or vans they own and the question that follows asks for the number of roommates in the household. There are also questions about tobacco consumption, the assessment of one's own state of health, the daily running load and previous illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, a past heart attack or stroke. Further questions are aimed at personal burdens such as the death of relatives or financial problems. At the end of the test the "UbbLE-Age" is communicated. If this is above the actual age, the personal risk of death is higher than the average in the same age group.
Evaluation of one's own state of health with great influence
The results of the Swedish researchers' analysis of data from the UK Biobank are in many ways a validation of existing findings, but some results may be quite surprising. For example, it is not surprising that in women, a past cancer had the greatest influence on the risk of death. Above all, the assessment of one's own state of health was decisive in men, which, given the large number of possible factors, is a small surprise. As a further key factor, which is independent of diseases for both age groups, the researchers name the smoking. The online test takes all these factors into account and predicts the risk of death on their basis. However, a reliable statement is not possible here, say the Swedish researchers. In this sense, however, the test is not intended, but rather he should identify vulnerable people and improve their health awareness. The test could also help doctors and health professionals identify high-risk individuals and assign them to specific risk groups. (Ag)