A1 Journal article (refereed)
Midlife cardiovascular health factors as predictors of retirement age, work-loss years, and years spent in retirement among older businessmen (2023)

Haapanen, M. J., Törmäkangas, T., von Bonsdorff, M. E., Strandberg, A. Y., Strandberg, T. E., & von Bonsdorff, M. B. (2023). Midlife cardiovascular health factors as predictors of retirement age, work-loss years, and years spent in retirement among older businessmen. Scientific Reports, 13, Article 16526. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43666-x

JYU authors or editors

Törmäkangas, Timo
von Bonsdorff, Monika
Bonsdorff von, Mikaela

Publication details

All authors or editors: Haapanen, Markus J.; Törmäkangas, Timo; von Bonsdorff, Monika E.; Strandberg, Arto Y.; Strandberg, Timo E.; von Bonsdorff, Mikaela B.

Journal or series: Scientific Reports

eISSN: 2045-2322

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 02/10/2023

Volume: 13

Article number: 16526

Publisher: Nature Publishing Group

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43666-x

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/89380

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of premature retirement. However, the relationship between CVD risk factors and workforce participation is not well known. We studied the relationship between midlife CVD risk, age at retirement, work-loss years, and survival in retirement. Middle-aged Finnish men (initial n = 3490, mean age = 47.8 years) were assessed for CVD risk factors and general health in the 1970s. They worked as business executives and provided information on their retirement status in the year 2000. Survival was followed up to the 9th decade of life with a follow-up of up to 44 years. Work-loss years were calculated as death or retirement occurring at age ≤ 65 years. Smoking, body mass index, and alcohol use were used as covariates, excluding models of CVD risk, which were adjusted for alcohol use only. Higher risk of 10-year fatal CVD was associated with 0.32 more years (relative risk < 1 vs. 1, covariate-adjusted β = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.13, 0.53) of work-loss. Higher risk of 5-year incident (covariate-adjusted time-constant HR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.19, 1.47) and 10-year fatal (covariate-adjusted time-dependent HR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.30, 1.85) CVD in midlife were associated with fewer years spent in retirement. Poorer self-rated health and physical fitness and higher levels of triglycerides were associated with increased hazard of earlier retirement, more work-loss years, and fewer years spent in retirement. Poorer health and greater midlife CVD risk may be associated with earlier exit from the workforce and fewer years spent in retirement. Management of CVD risk in midlife may support people to work longer.

Keywords: cardiovascular diseases; older people; retirement age; retirement; working life; risk factors