Assessing survival in widowers, and controls -A nationwide, six- to nine-year follow-up

• Main Authors: Skulason Bragi (Author), Jonsdottir Lilja (Author), Sigurdardottir Valgerdur (Author), Helgason Asgeir R (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2012-02-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-96; 1471-2458
• Keywords: Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: BMC Public Health, Vol 12, Iss 1, p 96 (2012)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to assess if widowers had an increased mortality rate during the first 6 to 9 years after the death of their wife, compared initially to an age-matched control group and also compared to the general population of Iceland.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study base was comprised of all 371 men born in 1924-1969 who were widowed in Iceland in 1999-2001 and 357 controls, married men, who were matched by age and residence.</p> <p>The widowers and controls were followed through the years 2002-2007 using information from Statistics Iceland. Mortality rates were compared between the groups and also with the general population. The mortality rate comparisons were: study group vs. control group, on the one hand, and study group vs. general population on the other. Causes of death were also compared between widowers and their wives.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A statistically significant increase in mortality in the widowers' group, compared to controls, was observed.</p> <p>Lifestyle-related factors could not be excluded as contributing to cause of death in these cases.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Being a widower was related to an increased risk of death for at least 9 years after the death of their wife.</p>