Human Longevity: Nature versus Nurture, Survival versus Mortality

ABSTRACT

Numerous studies were published, investigating the associations of ApoE and ACE polymorphisms with longevity. In 1995, we conducted based cross-sectional study among 823 elderly Arab residents in Israel for studying the prevalence and genetics of dementia of Alzheimer’s type (DAT). Epidemiological and genes results of (ApoE + ACE) were reported The ApoE frequency was the lowest in the world and no association was found between ACE and DAT. During 2008, we conducted a follow up study looking for survival and mortality rate among the same participants to endeavor if there is any relationship between genes and longevity. The total mortality rate among both genders after thirteen years was 66.34%, and the survival subjects of 88 years or older were 34 persons only out of the initial number 270 in 1995 (34/270 = 12.6%). We used the Chi-Square test to examine the null hypothesis (no difference between observed and expected results): When we compare the survival rate among both sexes in age group (60-74) in 1995 vs. age group (73- 87) in 2008. We observed statistically significant high survival rate among males (p=0.003) comparing to females in the same age groups. In contrary, at advanced age, when we compare the survival rate in age group (75-85+) in 1995 vs. age group (88-98+) in 2008, we observed high and significant survival rate among females (p=0.033). Conclusion: High rate of mortality was observed among females in age groups (60-74) in1995 and age group (73-87) in 2008, and high rate of mortality at advanced age was observed among males at advanced age group (75-85+) in 1995 and age group (88-98+) in 2008. More females live longer than men and no association was found between ApoE, ACE genes and longevity, that seems that longevity is exceedingly dependent on other genes in addition to the environmental factors.

Keywords:

Apolipoprotein, angiotensin-converting-enzyme, polymorphism, longevity, survival, mortality.