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The major result of this Study has been the meticulous accumulation of medical data
from over fifty years. The coding of this data reduced it to a form that allowed computer
storage and analysis. The strength of the Study arises from Dr. Mathewson, his staff,
and the tenacious follow-up of the members. Equal credit goes to the members themselves,
for obtaining examinations and electrocardiograms in a timely fashion, and making them
available to the Study.
Their generosity in this regard is equalled by their financial support allowing the
long term data collection. As members have aged, many are having more frequent
examinations, and they have provided the information from the assessments of their
medical problems. The response to special questionnaires has been another superb example
of the loyalty and dedication of the members. A 90% response to questionnaires is
unheard of outside of this Study.
The current status of the Study can be summarized as of July 1999. Nineteen hundred
and eight members were still alive, the mean age was 79, fourteen Study members were
over 90 years of age, the oldest known to us was 97. Four hundred and sixty-four men
are in their 80's. When compared to the mortality experience of the general population
of Canadian males, the distribution of cause of death in the MFUS cohort is virtually
the same. However, the rate of mortality of MFUS members is lower, approximately 75%
that of the general population.
Approximately 30% of the cohort have had documented ischemic heart disease. Forty-two
percent of these are characterized as angina pectoris; that is, chest pain brought on
by emotion or exertion. Forty-five percent have had heart attacks and thirteen percent
have died suddenly, within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. Over 400 men are alive
today with identified ischemic heart disease.
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