Epidemiology: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Objectives: Subjective (Self-estimated) life expectancy (SLE) has been associated with mortality significantly. In this study, we aim to investigate the associations between major factors affecting SLE. And we also examined whether any differences between SLE and estimated life expectancy in Korea exist. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of 1,000 individuals in Korea aged 20-59 was evaluated. Participants were asked self-reported questionnaire about SLE, general characteristics including socioeconomic factors, stress, environments. Life expectancy from the National Health Insurance database in Korea was also used to evaluate the differences. Age-adjusted least square mean, correlations and regression analyses tested the relationship of SLE with four categories of predictors: demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, health behaviours, and psychosocial factors. Results: Among 1,000 participants, women (mean age, 83.43; 95% Confidential Interval (CI), 82.41 to 84.46 years; 48.0% women) expected life expectancy 1.59 years longer than men. Variables within socioeconomic factors, salary, house type were related to SLE. For health behaviour, smoking status, alcohol status and physical activity were associated with SLE. Variables within Psychosocial factors, stress, self-rated health, social connectedness were related to SLE. In comparison with actuarial estimates, they had strong correlation (r=0.61) and men expected SLE higher than women. Conclusions: Demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, health behaviours, and psychosocial factors had significant association with SLE in expected direction. Men and women showed differences with SLE compared to their actuarial estimate. Further studies are needed to determine the reasons for this.

Biography

Jaekyoung Bae is a research candidate of Department of Health Management and Policy, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea