Is dog ownership associated with mortality? A nationwide registry study. (27th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sørensen, Ivalu Katajavaara; Bidstrup, Pernille Envold; Rod, Naja Hulvej; Rühling, Tjorben; Johansen, Christoffer
• Is Part Of: European journal of public health. Volume 28:Number 6(2018)
• Page Start: 1169
• Page End: 1171
• Publication Date: 2018-08-27
• Subjects: Epidemiology -- Europe -- Periodicals; Public health -- Europe -- Periodicals; 362.109405
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cky164
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1101-1262

Abstract

Abstract: We examined the association between dog ownership and mortality and whether the association depends on having a spouse in a population-based registry study. All Danish citizens over age 18 years who died in 2015 ( N =45 864) were matched to five people who remained alive in 2015 ( N =229 320). The total sample were linked to a mandatory nationwide register of dog ownership. Dog ownership was associated with slightly 8% lower all-cause mortality. The association was confined to people without a spouse (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.82–0.91), while the association was weaker in people with a spouse (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.93–1.03).