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bioRxiv · 10.1101/170654

Centenarian Hotspots in Denmark

Hansen, A. V.·Mortensen, L. H.·Westendorp, R.
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Abstract

BackgroundThe study of regions with high prevalence of centenarians is motivated by a desire to find determinants of healthy ageing. While existing research has focused on selected candidate regions, we explore the existence of hotspots in the whole the Denmark, which is a small and homogeneous country.\n\nMethodsWe performed a Kulldorff spatial scan across the whole of Denmark, searching for regions of birth and regions of residence at age 71 where a significantly increased percentage of the cohort born 1906-1915 became centenarians. We compared mortality hazards for the hotspot regions to the rest of the country by sex and residence at age 71.\n\nResultsWe found a birth hotspot of 222 centenarians, 1.37 times more than the expected number, centered on a group of fairly remote rural islands. Mortality was lower for those born in the hotspot, and the advantage was strongest in those born and remaining in the hotspot. At age 71, we found one primary hotspot with 1.39 times the expected number of centenarians, located in the generally high-income suburbs of the Danish capital.\n\nConclusionWe identified a Danish centenarian birth hotspot that persisted over a period of at least 30 years. Exactly what drives the appearance of this birth hotspot is unknown, but selection may explain hotspots based on residence at age 71.

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Hansen, A. V., Mortensen, L. H., Westendorp, R.. 2017-08-04. Centenarian Hotspots in Denmark. https://doi.org/10.1101/170654

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