Linda Thomas
twitter: @TheNewsChick
Linda is the morning news anchor and features reporter for KIRO Radio. This is her local news blog, with an emphasis on social media, technology, Northwest companies, education, parenting, and anything else that grabs her attention.If you have a news tip or story idea, I'd love to hear from you...
To leave a voice message for Linda about any of her stories call toll free 1-855-251-2363
Conversation starters
Most popular
Bonneville Seattle is raising funds for the construction of a second Fisher House at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma and we need your help.
Will you be dead in 10 years? UW prof calls new test valid
March 6, 2013 @ 5:45 pm (Updated: 5:56 pm - 3/6/13 )Do you smoke? Do you get winded walking several blocks?
A new "mortality index" helps people older than 50 estimate their chances of dying in the next 10 years.
Reading the research, I thought it would be helpful for people to know this information as a wake-up call to change habits before it's too late.
But the idea, according to lead other Dr. Marisa Cruz with the University of California, San Francisco, is actually to help doctors decide whether costly health screenings or medical procedures are worth the risk for patients unlikely to live 10 more years.
Doctors can use the results to "help patients understand the pros and cons of such things as rigorous diabetes treatment, colon cancer screening and tests for cervical cancer. Those may not be safe or appropriate for very sick, old people likely to die before cancer ever develops."
The 12 items on the mortality index are assigned points. The fewer total points, the better your odds. Take a work break, if you're over 50, and good luck.
Men automatically get 2 points. Sorry guysMen and women ages 60 to 64 get 1 point; ages 70 to 74 get 3 points; and 85 or over get 7 points.
Add Two points each if you have any of these issues: a current or previous cancer diagnosis, excluding minor skin cancers; lung disease limiting activity or requiring oxygen; heart failure; smoking; difficulty bathing; difficulty managing money because of health or memory problem; difficulty walking several blocks.
One point added for each of these conditions: diabetes or high blood sugar; difficulty pushing large objects, such as a heavy chair; being thin or normal weight. At an older age, thinness could be a sign of an illness according to the research.
Doing the math, the highest - or worst - score possible is a 26. That person has a 95 percent chance of dying within 10 years. To get that number, you'd have to be a man at least 85 years old with all the above conditions.
For a score of zero, which means a 3 percent chance of dying within 10 years, you'd have to be a woman younger than 60 without any of those infirmities, but slightly overweight. I'm living forever.
This study is published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association."
Dr. Stephan Fihn, a University of Washington professor of medicine and health quality measurement specialist with Veterans Affairs health services tells AP the index seems valid and "methodologically sound."
He also said it probably would be most accurate for the oldest patients, "who don't need a scientific crystal ball to figure out their days are numbered."
By LINDA THOMAS
AP contributed to this report
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.
-
Mavila wrote..."But the idea, according to lead other Dr. Marisa Cruz with the University of California, San Francisco, is actually to help doctors decide whether costly health screenings or medical procedures are worth the risk for patients unlikely to live 10 more yeaMarch 6, 2013 5:08 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
sghouse wrote...My exact thought...March 7, 2013 1:22 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
Kosh wrote...Death PanelsMarch 6, 2013 5:51 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
CH wrote...21 year old gets hit by a drunk driver and dies 99.9 pointsMarch 6, 2013 7:15 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
Rayvensdad wrote...So......March 6, 2013 8:25 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
It's me! Ha ha! wrote...The test proves thatMarch 7, 2013 1:37 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
CH wrote...you will die within your lifetimeMarch 7, 2013 4:48 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
doublej wrote...New study just releasedMarch 7, 2013 6:13 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
It's me! Ha ha! wrote...I hear that a test is availableMarch 7, 2013 8:50 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
circuitfr wrote...wow....March 10, 2013 9:04 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
R L M 456 wrote...well the good news is--March 10, 2013 9:03 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
0623 wrote...So....Where's the test?March 10, 2013 9:43 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
- Reply
- Report this as abuse
-
Rikki Doxx wrote...Where's The Test?March 10, 2013 12:03 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
- Report this as abuse