Significant association found between all-cause mortality and weight loss in older adults [Beuzz]

An international team of researchers led by Monash University in Australia examined the associations between changes in body weight and waist circumference and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. In the article “Associations of Change in Body Size With All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality Among Healthy Older Adults”, published in Open JAMA Networkthe team highlights the surprising link between weight loss and increased risk of death.

The researchers used data from an earlier study looking at aspirin use among 16,703 Australian participants aged 70 and over. They focused on weight records, waist circumference measurements and mortality information over time. The cohort consisted of 7,510 men and 9,193 women. All individuals were without obvious cardiovascular disease, dementia, physical disability, or life-limiting chronic disease.

Changes in body weight and waist circumference were categorized as change within 5% (stable), decrease 5% to 10%, decrease more than 10%, increase 5% to 10%, and increase more than 10%.

Using men with stable weight as a control, men with 5% to 10% weight loss had a 33% higher risk of all-cause mortality, and those with more than 10% decrease in body weight had a 289% higher risk.

Compared to women with stable weight, women with 5-10% weight loss had a 26% higher risk of all-cause mortality, and those with more than 10% body weight loss had a 114% higher.

A greater than 10% decrease in waist circumference was associated with a 2.14 times higher risk of all-cause mortality in men and a 34% higher risk of all-cause mortality in women.

There was no significant association between weight gain and increased waist circumference and all-cause mortality.

Researchers say it is likely that weight loss is an early indicator of the presence of various life-shortening diseases. Although weight loss may precede a cancer diagnosis, the study found that weight loss also precedes increases in all-cause mortality, including deaths from cardiovascular disease, trauma, dementia , Parkinson’s disease and other less common causes.

Weight loss was primarily associated with reduced appetite, leading to reduced food intake. The article describes appetite as a complex process governed by both the central nervous system and various circulating hormones, each of which could be disrupted before a more pronounced presentation of the disease.

The researchers conclude that physicians and their patients should be aware of the significant association between mortality and weight loss in the elderly.

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