Background: The continued expansion of the elderly population and a growing awareness of age-related disorders have prompted considerable interest in the study of the individuals who reach 100 years (longevity outliers). This peculiar group represents the fastest growing age group worldwide. Part of them are still self-sufficient, a condition defined "successful aging". In Italy, the prevalence of centenarians is 1-2/10,000 inhabitants, but in some areas the number is higher, such as in Barbagia (Sardinia) or in Trieste, city in which the prevalence of centenarians reaches 6-8/10,000 inhabitants. Trieste, as result of its particular geographical position and history, is a melting pot of cultures and religions, the opposite of a founder population as in Sardinia. For this reason, we have started to collect past and present data on the psychobiologic and socio-demographic characteristics related to the centenarians living in Trieste to create a database. Methods: In Trieste city (211,000 inhabitants) there are about 150 centenarians, a large part of them still self-sufficient. After signed consent, the centenarians are enrolled in the study to collect all data available on past and present habits and lifestyle, education, nutrition, physical activity, social life, state of health and pathological conditions and lifetime history of drug intake. Moreover, a neuropsychological examination is performed in addition to the sleep recording and the Heart Rate Variability evaluation for vegetative nervous system study. Blood, stool, urine and saliva samples are collected. The project, which started in January 2014, is implemented by a network of Family Doctors, neuropsychologists, nurses, health care operators of ASS1 Triestina and the relatives of the centenarians. Results: Our goal is to create a database of the centenarians living in Trieste and, in the future, a centenarian register. Basal characteristics of the subjects are reported. Conclusions: The database will be useful not only for studying habits and lifestyle, health conditions and socio-demographic characteristics of this peculiar population, but also for genetic and biological research. The study demonstrates the possibility to merge research and social/health service delivery to understand the basis of successful ageing and start implementing strategies on the field.

“CAT: CENTENARI A TRIESTE”: A STUDY FOR A CLINICAL-BIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHO-SOCIAL DATABASE OF THE CENTENARIAN POPULATION IN TRIESTE

Gabriella Marcon
;
2014-01-01

Abstract

Background: The continued expansion of the elderly population and a growing awareness of age-related disorders have prompted considerable interest in the study of the individuals who reach 100 years (longevity outliers). This peculiar group represents the fastest growing age group worldwide. Part of them are still self-sufficient, a condition defined "successful aging". In Italy, the prevalence of centenarians is 1-2/10,000 inhabitants, but in some areas the number is higher, such as in Barbagia (Sardinia) or in Trieste, city in which the prevalence of centenarians reaches 6-8/10,000 inhabitants. Trieste, as result of its particular geographical position and history, is a melting pot of cultures and religions, the opposite of a founder population as in Sardinia. For this reason, we have started to collect past and present data on the psychobiologic and socio-demographic characteristics related to the centenarians living in Trieste to create a database. Methods: In Trieste city (211,000 inhabitants) there are about 150 centenarians, a large part of them still self-sufficient. After signed consent, the centenarians are enrolled in the study to collect all data available on past and present habits and lifestyle, education, nutrition, physical activity, social life, state of health and pathological conditions and lifetime history of drug intake. Moreover, a neuropsychological examination is performed in addition to the sleep recording and the Heart Rate Variability evaluation for vegetative nervous system study. Blood, stool, urine and saliva samples are collected. The project, which started in January 2014, is implemented by a network of Family Doctors, neuropsychologists, nurses, health care operators of ASS1 Triestina and the relatives of the centenarians. Results: Our goal is to create a database of the centenarians living in Trieste and, in the future, a centenarian register. Basal characteristics of the subjects are reported. Conclusions: The database will be useful not only for studying habits and lifestyle, health conditions and socio-demographic characteristics of this peculiar population, but also for genetic and biological research. The study demonstrates the possibility to merge research and social/health service delivery to understand the basis of successful ageing and start implementing strategies on the field.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11390/1140688
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