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Ischemic heart disease (IHD) causes mortality and morbidity. High levels of occupational physical activity (OPA) increases IHD risk, and occupational lifting (OL) is suggested as a detrimental OPA exposure. This study investigated the association between accumulated OL throughout working life, and risk for IHD, and potential sex and hypertension differences. Data from Copenhagen Ageing and Midlife Biobank linked to register-based information on incident IHD during 9 years follow-up in the Danish National Patient Registry were included. The outcome was the odds of IHD from baseline (2009–2011) to end of follow-up (2018), among participants without IHD at baseline. Accumulated OL was assessed by linking occupational codes to a Job Exposure Matrix, creating a measure in ton-years (lifting 1,000 kg/day/year). Multivariable logistic regression tested associations between level of accumulated OL and IHD, among the 6,606 included individuals (68% men). During follow-up, 7.3% men and 3.6% women were hospitalized with IHD. Among all participants, the odds for IHD were 47% (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.05–2.06) higher among those with ≥5 to <10 ton-years, 39% (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.06–1.83) higher among those with ≥10 to <30 ton-years, and 62% (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.18–2.22) higher among those with ≥30 ton-years, compared to no accumulated OL. However, these increased odds were in the same direction in the fully-adjusted model but statistically insignificant, ≥5 to <10 ton-years OR 1.28, 95% CI 0.88–1.88; ≥10 to <30 ton-years OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.85–1.69; and ≥30 ton-years OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.81–1.84. No statistically significant interactions, nor any associations, between OL and sex, or hypertension were seen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Area regeneration of deprived neighborhoods is being used to reduce health inequality, socioeconomic deprivation and ethnic segregation. This quasi-experimental study examines if long-term graded exposure to urban regeneration is associated with primary healthcare-seeking behavior among residents. We compared general practitioner (GP) contacts from 2015-2020 in two adjacent, deprived social housing areas, one exposed to area regeneration. Populations were into Western and non-Western males and females aged 15 years and older (N = 3,960). Mean annual GP contact frequency for each group were estimated and a difference-in-difference (DiD) analysis was conducted with adjustments for propensity scores based on baseline characteristics. GP contact frequency increased for all groups across time with a systematically higher level and faster increase in the control groups. In particular, the mean difference between the exposed and control area for Western women increased from −4.67 to −5.76 annual contacts across the period. The mean differences in contact frequency increased for all groups but results of the DiD analyses were insignificant. In conclusion, an increasing gap in GP contact frequency, with the highest levels in the control area, was observed for all comparisons across time. More long-term research is needed to understand how the increasing gaps evolve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the associations between annual measures of economic hardship (EH) across 22 years of adulthood and objective measures of early ageing in a Danish late-middle-aged population (N = 5575). EH (years < 60% of the National median equivalized household disposable income) was experienced by 18% during 1987–2008. Four or more years in EH (reference = null years in EH) was related to poorer physical capability (chair rise: − 1.49 counts/30 s [95% confidence interval (CI) − 2.36, − 0.61], hand grip strength: − 1.22 kg [95% CI − 2.38, − 0.07], jump height: − 1.67 cm [95% CI − 2.44, − 0.91] and balance: 18% [95% CI 9, 28]), poorer cognitive function (Intelligenz-Struktur-Test: − 1.50 points [95% CI − 2.89, − 0.12]) and higher inflammatory levels (C-reactive protein: 22% [95% CI 4, 44], and Interleukin-6: 23% [95% CI 10, 39]). Comparing four EH trajectories, people with a high versus low probability of EH over time had poorer physical capability (chair rise: − 1.70 counts/30 s [95% CI − 3.38, − 0.01], grip: − 4.33 kg [95% CI − 6.50, − 2.16], jump: − 1.68 cm [95% CI − 3.12, − 0.25] and balance: 31% [95% CI 12, 52]). No associations were observed with tumour necrosis factor-α. Results were adjusted for sex, age, long-term parental unemployment/financial problems, education, baseline income and cohort. This study suggested EH for four or more years to be associated with poorer physical capability, cognitive function and increased inflammatory levels in midlife. High probability of EH across adulthood was similarly related to poorer physical capability and CRP, but not cognitive function and the remaining inflammatory markers. In conclusion, preventive initiatives focusing on reducing the burden of sustained economic hardship may lead to increased healthy ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The loss of both hearing and vision (dual sensory loss) affects communication and potentially challenges the ability to maintain healthy social relations. The aim of this study was to examine the association between severity of sensory loss and relational strain among older adults with acquired dual sensory loss. Method: Data were collected through a national cross-sectional questionnaire survey and an administrative database. A total of 302 individuals with functional dual sensory loss ⩾50 years of age participated (66% response). Relational strain was measured as the perceived experience of excessive demands, worries, and conflicts with children, other relatives, or the personal support worker. Data were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Results: No associations between severity of dual sensory loss and excessive demands from or worries for children, other relatives, or personal support workers were found. Participants with total blindness and profound deafness had significantly higher odds for experiencing conflicts with children (odds ratio [OR] = 3.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.02, 9.38]) and the personal support worker (OR = 4.18, 95% CI = [1.23, 4.28]) compared to participants with residuals of both senses. Discussion: Individuals with total blindness and profound deafness might require special attention in rehabilitation to support them in maintaining healthy social relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the current evidence of a high prevalence of forgetfulness in middle-aged individuals, and the evidence of a link between midlife memory complaints and biological changes in the brain, no previous study has yet investigated midlife forgetfulness in relation to risk of dementia in old age. Aims: We investigated whether midlife forgetfulness was an indicator of an increased risk of dementia in old age. Methods: We used data from 3,136 employed men and women who participated in the Danish Work Environment Cohort Study in 1990. These data were linked to Danish national registers. Participants were asked whether their closest relative had ever told them that they were forgetful. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) were estimated using Poisson regression analysis. Results: At baseline, 749 (24%) study participants were categorized as forgetful, and 86 (2.7%) participants were diagnosed with dementia during a total of 31,724 person-years at risk. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, and work-related factors, midlife forgetfulness was associated with a higher risk of dementia (IRR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.12–2.97). Conclusions: This study is the first to investigate midlife forgetfulness and dementia, and the results suggest that midlife forgetfulness is an early indicator of an increased risk of dementia in old age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earlier studies report inconsistent associations between education and cognitive aging. We assessed the association, accounting for selective dropout due to death or dementia, and, in a subsample, accounting for confounding by early-life intelligence. Data from the Danish component of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (n = 3,400) were linked to registry data (education records, dementia diagnoses, and mortality) and the Danish Conscription Database (youth intelligence measurements for 854 men). Word recall and verbal fluency were assessed up to 4 times over 10 years (2004–2013) and combined by averaging the z scores. We fitted a joint model linking a time-to-event model for dementia or death to a linear mixed-effects model for cognitive change. Rate of cognitive decline was slower among people with high education compared with low education (β = 0.112, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.056, 0.170). Adjusting for youth intelligence did not attenuate the association between education and cognitive decline (crude β = 0.136, 95% CI: 0.028, 0.244 vs. adjusted β = 0.145, 95% CI: 0.022, 0.269). The results suggest that higher education may slow cognitive decline in later life. In this sample, results changed little when accounting for selective attrition and confounding by intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the association between childhood socioeconomic position and objective physical capability including new functional measures of potential relevance to a population in late-middle age. The study population covers two Danish birth cohorts followed-up in the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank (age 48–58 years, 2009–2011, N = 4,204). Results from linear regression models revealed that being born in higher socioeconomic position was associated with higher jump height: Paternal occupational class four = 0.19 cm (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.44, 0.82), three = 0.59 cm (95% CI: -0.02, 1.19), two = 1.29 cm (95% CI: 0.64, 1.94), and one = 1.29 cm (95% CI: 0.45, 2.13) (reference = five); medium parental social class = 0.88 cm (95% CI: 0.03, 1.72) and high = 1.79 cm (95% CI: 0.94, 2.63) (reference = low). Higher childhood socioeconomic position was also associated with better chair rise performance and hand grip strength, while among women it was related to reduced flexibility: Medium parental social class = -1.31 cm (95% CI: -3.05, 0.42) and high = -2.20 cm (95% CI: -3.94, -0.47) (reference = low); unwed mother = 1.75 cm (95% CI: 0.36, 3.14) (reference = married). Overall, the findings suggest that higher childhood socioeconomic position is primarily related to moderately better scores in the most strenuous physical capability measures and hand grip strength among healthy adults in late-middle age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate separate and combined associations of occupational social class and personality traits with late midlife leisure-time physical activity duration and intensity. Method: Cross-sectional data from the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank (N = 4,649) were analyzed using linear regression models with leisure-time physical activity (metric equivalence) as outcome. Results: Low versus high occupational social class was associated with 4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = [3%, 5%]) greater leisure-time physical activity duration, but 2% (CI = [1%, 3%]) lower intensity. Each 10-unit increase in extraversion was associated with 5% (CI = [2%, 8%]) greater duration. Intensity increased by each 10-unit increase in conscientiousness (6%, CI = [4%, 7%]), openness (3%, CI = [1%, 4%]), neuroticism (3%, CI = [1%, 4%]), and extraversion (5%, CI = [4%, 7%]). Conscientiousness was positively associated with duration in low, but not in high, occupational social class (interaction p value = .002). Discussion: Higher occupational social class was associated with lower leisure-time physical activity duration, but higher intensity. Extraversion was positively associated with duration and intensity. Conscientiousness, openness, and neuroticism were positively associated with intensity. Overall, interactions were not consistent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Loneliness is associated with poor functional ability in older people. Little is known about this association in the middle-aged. The aim is to investigate if perceived loneliness is associated with lower physical capability among middle-aged men and women and if the associations of loneliness with physical capability interact with socioeconomic position and cohabitation status. Methods: 5224 participants from Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank (CAMB) aged 49-62 years (mean age 54) were included. Handgrip strength (measured by a dynamometer) and maximal number of chair rises in 30 s was recorded. Multivariate linear regression analyses were adjusted for age, occupational social class, cohabitation status, morbidity and personality traits. Results: No association was found between loneliness and physical capability. For example estimates for handgrip strength in 'often' lonely men and women compared with the 'not lonely' were 1.2 kg (95% CI - 0.5;2.9)/1.0 kg (-0.7;2.6). Low occupational social class was associated with poorer physical capability, and living alone was associated with poorer handgrip strength in men [-2.4 kg (95% CI - 3.2;-1.5)] and poorer chair rise test in women [-0.8 rises (95% CI - 1.6;-0.1)]. There was no support for interactions. Conclusion: In contrast to earlier studies among older people, no association between loneliness and physical capability was found in this cohort of middle-aged men and women. Loneliness may not yet have resulted in detectable differences in physical capability in this age group. Further research is needed to clarify if, and at what point in the life course loneliness begins to affect physical capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The mechanisms underlying the social gradient in physical functioning are not fully understood. Cumulative physiological stress may be a pathway. The present study aimed to investigate the association between highest attained school education and physical performance in late midlife, and to determine to what extent cumulative physiological stress mediated these associations. Methods The study is based on data from the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank (CAMB; n=5467 participants, aged 48-62 years, 31.5% women). School education was measured as highest examination passed in primary or secondary school (3 categories). Cumulative stress was operationalised as allostatic load (AL), and measured as the number of biological parameters (out of 14) in which participants scored in the poorest quartile. Physical performance included dynamic muscle performance (chair rise ability, postural balance, sagittal flexibility) and muscle strength (jump height, trunk extension and flexion, and handgrip strength). Results Among women, higher school education was associated with better performance in all physical performance tests. Among men, higher school education was associated with better performance only in chair rise and jump height. AL partially mediated the association between school education and physical performance, and accounted only for 2-30% of the total effect among women. Similar results were observed among men for chair rise and jump height. Conclusions These results might indicate that AL plays a minor role in the association between school education and late midlife dynamic muscle performance in both men and women, and in muscle strength among women [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of the accumulation of major life events (MLE) in childhood and adulthood, in both the private and working domains, on risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Furthermore, we aimed to test the possible interaction between childhood and adult MLE and to investigate modification of these associations by educational attainment. Methods: The study was based on 4,761 participants from the Copenhagen City Heart Study free of diabetes at baseline and followed for 10 years. MLE were categorized as 0, 1, 2, 3 or more events. Multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, education and family history of diabetes were used to estimate the association between MLE and T2DM. Results: In childhood, experiencing 3 or more MLE was associated with a 69% higher risk of developing T2DM (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.69; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.60, 3.27). The accumulation of MLE in adult private (p-trend = 0.016) and work life (p-trend = 0.049) was associated with risk of T2DM in a dose response manner. There was no evidence that experiencing MLE in both childhood and adult life was more strongly associated with T2DM than experiencing events at only one time point. There was some evidence that being simultaneously exposed to childhood MLE and short education (OR 2.28; 95% C.I. 1.45, 3.59) and work MLE and short education (OR 2.86; 95% C.I. 1.62, 5.03) was associated with higher risk of T2DM, as the joint effects were greater than the sum of their individual effects. Conclusions: Findings from this study suggest that the accumulation of MLE in childhood, private adult life and work life, respectively, are risk factors for developing T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Few studies have examined the relationship between stressful social relations in private life and all-cause mortality. Objective To evaluate the association between stressful social relations (with partner, children, other family, friends and neighbours, respectively) and all-cause mortality in a large population-based study of middle-aged men and women. Further, to investigate the possible modification of this association by labour force participation and gender. Methods We used baseline data (2000) from The Danish Longitudinal Study on Work, Unemployment and Health, including 9875 men and women aged 36– 52 years, linked to the Danish Cause of Death Registry for information on all-cause mortality until 31 December 2011. Associations between stressful social relations with partner, children, other family, friends and neighbours, respectively, and all-cause mortality were examined using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, gender, cohabitation status, occupational social class, hospitalisation with chronic disorder 1980–baseline, depressive symptoms and perceived emotional support. Modification by gender and labour force participation was investigated by an additive hazards model. Results Frequent worries/demands from partner or children were associated with 50–100% increased mortality risk. Frequent conflicts with any type of social relation were associated with 2–3 times increased mortality risk. Interaction between labour force participation and worries/demands (462 additional cases per 100 000 person-years, p=0.05) and conflicts with partner (830 additional cases per 100 000 person-years, p<0.01) was suggested. Being male and experiencing frequent worries/demands from partner produced 135 extra cases per 100 000 person-years, p=0.05 due to interaction. Conclusions Stressful social relations are associated with increased mortality risk among middle-aged men and women for a variety of different social roles. Those outside the labour force and men seem especially vulnerable to exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Psychosocial factors in the working environment have been shown to be associated with mobility limitations, but this has not yet been confirmed in a Danish population. We aimed to examine how psychosocial factors at work are related to developing mobility limitations in Denmark. Methods: This study is based on data from 2952 middle-aged men and women without mobility limitations in 2000. Results: We found increased risk of incident mobility limitations during 6-year follow up among men who often perceived high work pace (OR 5.45, 95% CI 1.21–24.52) vs. never, who only sometimes or/never perceived the work to be meaningful (OR 6.54, 95% CI 1.55–27.55) vs. always, and who sometimes perceived high emotional demands at work (OR 7.85, 95% CI 1.78–34.65) vs. never. Among women, lower risk of incident mobility limitations was observed among those who in 2000 perceived high work pace sometimes (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.24–0.87) or often (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.22–0.85) vs. never in 2000. Also, women who always or often experienced high emotional demands had an increased risk. Conclusions: The most important finding was that high work pace was strongly associated with increased risk of mobility limitations among men, but associated with lower risk of mobility limitations among women. This knowledge may be used to better target interventions among men and women in midlife from physical deterioration later in life. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background Mobility-related fatigue and low socioeconomic position predicts mobility limitations and disability in old age, but the interplay between these two factors is unknown. To evaluate whether mobility-related fatigue is a stronger risk factor for mobility limitations in certain socioeconomic groups, the aim of this study was to examine the combined effect of mobility-related fatigue and socioeconomic position on mobility limitations in a prospective study among older Danish men and women. Methods Multivariate linear regression models with combined exposure variables using generalised estimating equations were performed using four waves of data on 2874 individuals without mobility limitations at baseline from The Danish Intervention Study on Preventive Home Visits. Results Low socioeconomic position and mobility-related fatigue are risk factors for mobility limitations in old age. The combined exposure to both factors additionally increased the risk, but there was no synergy effect between the two. Notably, fatigue predicted mobility decline at 3-year follow-up among those aged 80 years at baseline with a mean difference in number of mobility limitations from the joint reference category (high socioeconomic position and no fatigue) of ?0.52, p<0.0001 among those in high socioeconomic position and ?0.96, p<0.0001 among those in low socioeconomic position. Conclusions Mobility-related fatigue is not a significantly stronger risk factor for subsequent mobility limitations among those with concomitant exposure to low socioeconomic position, compared with those with high socioeconomic position. Preventive strategies must focus on vulnerable groups of older people with low socioeconomic position as well as on individuals with fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social relations have been shown to be protective against ischaemic heart disease (IHD), but little is known about the impact of negative aspects of the social relations on IHD. Methods: During a 6-year follow-up, the authors aimed to assess if negative aspects of social relations were associated with angina pectoris among 4573 middle-aged Danish men and women free of heart disease at baseline in 2000. Results: Nine per cent experienced onset of symptoms of angina pectoris. A higher degree of excessive demands or worries from the social relations was associated with increased risk of angina after adjustment for age, gender, social class, cohabitation status and depression in a dosee response manner. For example, experiencing excessive demands or worries always/often from different roles in the social relations was associated with an increased risk: partner OR=3.53 (1.68 to 7.43), children OR=2.19 (1.04 to 4.61), other family OR=1.91 (1.24 to 2.96). Except for frequent conflicts with the partner and neighbours, conflicts with the social relations was not a risk factor for angina. The authors found no interaction of negative aspects of social relations with gender, age, social class, cohabitation status or depression in terms of angina. Conclusion: Excessive demands and serious worries from significant others seem to be important risk factors for development of angina pectoris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this longitudinal study was to investigate if social inequality in onset of mobility limitations is present in early midlife, and to examine whether common determinants of disability account for social status differences in onset of mobility limitations in midlife. 3,586 40-and 50-year-old Danish men and women enrolled in The Danish Longitudinal Study on Work, Unemployment and Health constituted the study population. Data were collected by mailed questionnaires in 2000 and 2006. Limitations in running 100 m and in climbing two flights of stairs represented two aspects of mobility limitations. Occupational social class was applied as a measure of socioeconomic position. Among individuals reporting no limitations in 2000 social gradients in onset of mobility limitations emerged in 2006. Having a low social class at age 40 and 50 respectively was associated with higher onset of mobility limitations 6 years later, and this association was overall only partly explained by common determinants of disability: smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, body mass index, and chronic diseases. These results indicate that the development of mobility limitations might begin earlier in lower compared to higher social strata, and that social status differences in mobility limitations might emerge already in the forties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to examine the combined effect of cohabitation status and social participation, respectively, and socioeconomic position on onset of mobility limitations in a prospective study among older Danes.Design and methods: logistic regression analyses with combined exposure variables were performed in a study population of 2,839 older men and women from the Danish Intervention Study on Preventive Home Visits.Results: among men low financial assets, living alone or having low social participation significantly increased the odds ratios (OR) for onset of mobility limitations. Among women only low financial assets and low social participation significantly increased the ORs for onset of mobility limitations. Analyses with combined exposure variables showed that simultaneous exposure to low financial assets and poor social relations significantly increased the ORs for onset of mobility limitations among both genders, yet the tendencies appeared stronger for males. In particular, men with simultaneous exposure to low financial assets and low social participation had increased odds ratios for onset of mobility limitations, OR = 5.36 (2.51–11.47), compared with the non-exposed.Conclusion: the study suggests that future interventions to increase social participation might alleviate the negative effects on mobility experienced by older people in low socioeconomic position, perhaps especially among older males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies exist on social inequality of excessive drinking in Denmark and differences seem to be less pronounced than in other European countries. The aims of this study were to investigate how history of employment and cohabitation is associated with excessive drinking and to study interaction between both. Methods: Birth-cohort study of 6112 Danish men born in 1953 with follow-up in 2004 on excessive drinking at age 51 years. Results: Excessive drinking (between 22 and 35 units of alcohol per week) differed little depending on history of unemployment and cohabitation. Risk of very excessive drinking (drinking >35 units of alcohol per week) increased with number of job losses—ranging from one job-loss [odds ratio (OR) 1.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39–2.14] to three or more job-losses (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.75–3.52)—and duration of unemployment—ranging from 1 to 5 years (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.11–1.63) to &geq;10 years (OR 4.16, CI 3.13–5-53). Very excessive drinking was also associated with number of broken partnerships—ranging from one broken partnership (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.16–1.77) to three or more broken partnerships (OR 2.69, 95% CI 2.03–3.55)—and with living alone for >5 years—ranging from 6 to 9 years (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.30–2.29) to &geq;10 years (OR 2.55, 95% CI 2.04–3.55). We found an interaction between the number of job-losses and of broken partnerships in relation to very excessive drinking. Conclusions: Very excessive drinking is related to number of job-losses, broken partnerships, living alone and duration of unemployment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aims: To examine whether father’s social class was associated with body mass index (BMI) at age 20 and 50 years in a cohort of men born in 1953 and to explore the role of birth weight, cognitive function (IQ), and educational status in these relationships. Methods: We used data from the Metropolit cohort which includes 11,532 Danish men born in 1953 with information on father’s socioeconomic position (SEP) at participant’s birth and assessments of height, weight, cognitive performance, and education at age 20. In 2004, 6292 of these men participated in a follow-up survey on health and behaviour. Linear and logistic regression were used to investigate the association of father’s social class with BMI among the 5117 men with complete information on all variables. Results: Between age 20 and 50, mean BMI increased from 21.4 to 26.1 kg/m2, while the prevalence of overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) increased from 8.1 to 57.8%. Men of fathers who were skilled or unskilled workers had higher odds of being overweight (OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.13—1.53) or often obese (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.03—1.60) at age 50 years compared to those with fathers being self-employed, employee, or civil servants when adjusted for the other socially correlated indicators of impaired childhood development. In the linear regression analyses, mean BMI at both age 20 and 50 were around 0.3 kg/m2 higher in men with fathers from working class compared to those self-employed, employee, or civil servants. Conclusions: This study supports that among men, father’s SEP influences the development of obesity later in adult life. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Highlights • Social foreground is an important aspect of health inequality in old age. • Geographical closeness strengthened findings of the impact of social foreground. • Intergenerational social mobility is an important aspect of social foreground. Abstract Background The concept of social foreground describes how adult offspring's socioeconomic resources may influence older adults' health and several studies have shown an association between socioeconomic position of adult offspring and the health of their older parents. However, little is known about the factors that generate these associations. We study 1) how adult offspring's social class is associated with physical function (PF) among older adults, 2) whether geographical closeness and contact frequency with offspring modify the association, and 3) whether intergenerational social mobility of offspring is associated with PF of older adults. Method Data are obtained from the 2002 (n = 621) and 2011 (n = 931) waves of the Swedish Panel Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old. Multivariable linear regression models were employed and adjusted for own and partner's prior social class and offspring's age and gender. Results Compared to offspring with non-manual occupation, offsprings with manual occupation was associated with poorer PF in older adults (−0.14, CI95%:−0.28;0.00). In stratified analyses, offspring's social class was only associated with older adults' PF among those who lived geographically close. Contact frequency between the offspring and the older adults did not modify the associations. Older adults whose offspring experienced downward intergenerational social mobility were associated with the poorest PF. Conclusion This study supports evidence of a relationship between social foreground and older adults' PF where geographical closeness and social mobility are important components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the accumulated number of job losses and broken partnerships (defined as the end of cohabitation) on the risk of fatal and nonfatal events of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Methods: Prospective birth cohort study with follow-up of events of IHD from 1993 to 2004. Participants were 8365 men born in the metropolitan area of Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1953. Events of IHD were retrieved from the Danish National Patient Register and the Cause of Death Registry. Job losses and broken partnerships were identified in the Social Registers. We included mother''s marital status and father''s occupation at birth, body mass index at 18 years, and own educational attainment as covariates. Results: We found that only broken partnerships were associated with IHD (1.28 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.58) and the subdiagnoses of other IHD (1.37 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.85). We found no indication of dose–response relationship between number of events and risk of IHD. Conclusion: In this study of middle-aged men, we found only weak support for the effect of psychosocial stress on IHD measured with register based life events; we found that IHD was associated with broken partnerships but not with job loss. We did not find that the risk of incident IHD varied with the number of these stressful life events. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: We investigated whether midlife forgetfulness was prospectively associated with changes in social relations at work (SRW) among occupationally active individuals in Denmark. Methods: We analyzed data of 2339 men and women participating in the first (1990) and second (1995) survey of the Danish Work Environment Cohort Study, responding to questions on working environment, SRW, and forgetfulness. We used multiple linear regression analysis while adjusting for potential confounders. Results: At baseline (1990), 517 (22.1%) study participants were categorized as forgetful. Forgetfulness was prospectively associated with a decline in one of the investigated items reflecting a negative aspect of SRW (experiencing teasing, regression coefficient = 0.07, 95% Cl: 0.03 to 0.11), while no association was observed with positive aspects of SRW. Conclusions: Our findings did not support the hypothesis that memory problems such as midlife forgetfulness negatively affect SRW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]