Thesis (M.A.)--Georgia State University, 2008. / Title from file title page. Frank J. Whittington, committee chair; Elisabeth O. Burgess, Toshi Kii, committee members. Electronic text (189 p. : col. ill.) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed Sept. 17, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (p. 177-180).

Successful aging, the ability to resist age-associated illnesses and functional disability, is of increasing importance as the population ages. Studies have shown that exceptionally long-lived individuals fit the successful aging paradigm by compressing disability toward the end of life. This study investigated whether there is evidence of successful cognitive aging in a familial longevity cohort, the Long Life Family Study (LLFS). Part 1 describes the feasibility of conducting a 2.5 hour neuropsychological battery emphasizing episodic memory and executive function, cognitive domains that elicit signs of cognitive dysfunction in relation to normal aging and dementia. The rationale for the selected tests is discussed within the context of minimizing effects from sensory impairments in an aged cohort and optimizing qualitative and quantitative data. In Part 2, the testing of 70 proband generation and 100 offspring generation LLFS participants and 140 generation-matched referent participants without familial longevity is described. Comparison of LLFS proband generation participants with their referent cohort revealed no significant differences in test scores. However, the referent cohort also had more years of education (an important exposure which is discussed in Part 3). LLFS offspring generation participants had borderline significant better performance on a test of executive function (Clock Drawing Test) and attention (Digits Forward) compared with referents. These findings suggest that familial longevity is associated with better cognitive function even at relatively young ages. Continuing to follow these cohorts to older ages may reveal differences in rate of change in cognitive function. Part 3 examines the role of indicators of cognitive reserve. In the proband generation education and participation in mid- and late-life cognitively stimulating activities were found to be higher in the referent cohort. This suggests that people without familial longevity may be more reliant on higher cognitive reserve in order to achieve similar cognitive performance to those from long-lived families. Implications of preserved cognitive function in long-lived families and the effect of cognitive reserve in those without familial longevity are discussed in terms of compression of disability and successful cognitive aging.

Healthspan describes the length of time an individual lives without disability or chronic disease. Characteristic to aging is the risk for the onset of both through a progressive accumulation of deficits in normal physiologic function. In the past, the declines associated with aging were simply accepted as inevitable. Today, longevity research has undergone a meteoric rise in popularity. This is due to several landmark studies demonstrating that what was once thought of as inevitable has potential to be delayed. This thesis aims to consolidate current theories of biochemical processes believed to underlie aging, and explore their interconnections. Furthermore, current pharmaceutical and lifestyle interventions being studied to promote longevity and target these specific pathways will be analyzed for safety and practicality for use in a primary care setting. Through a shift from symptom-based care to personalized preventative care, the goal is to maximize function into older age and empower individuals to live life to the fullest well beyond what was previously imagined.

Introdução: Centenários são indivíduos que atingiram um século de vida, ou seja, viveram cerca de 20 anos a mais do que a expectativa de vida média da população de países desenvolvidos e 25 anos a mais do que em países em desenvolvimento, como o Brasil. Eles fazem parte do segmento populacional que mais cresce no mundo, sendo estimados aproximadamente 3,8 milhões de idosos nessa faixa etária até a metade deste século. O entendimento das bases da longevidade e do envelhecimento saudável ainda permanece como grande desafio das ciências biológicas no século 21. Objetivos: 1) Conhecimento das características físicas, cognitivas, psíquicas, funcionais e nutricionais da população de centenários presentes na cidade de Ribeirão Preto-SP. 2) Comparar os diversos resultados obtidos entre os centenários com e sem síndrome demencial, desnutridos e não-desnutridos e com independência ou dependência funcional para Atividades Básicas de Vida Diária (ABVDs) pela escala de KATZ. 3) Analisar a expressão gênica transcricional (por qPCR em tempo real) dos genes de interesse IGF1, IGF2, IGF1R, APOE-4, FOXO1 e FOXO3, em linfócitos de sangue periférico dos idosos centenários. Casuística e Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal de base populacional com idosos centenários residentes em Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil. Foram obtidas as medidas de peso, altura e pressão arterial, bem como a bioimpedância elétrica. Foi realizada avaliação geriátrica global, por meio de diversas escalas consagradas e análise do desempenho físico e do risco nutricional desses centenários. Numa segunda oportunidade, os pacientes receberam a visita, em jejum, para a coleta de exames laboratoriais, que foram enviados para análise da expressão genética dos genes de interesse. Resultados e Conclusões: Dos 59 centenários residentes na cidade, foram avaliados 33, com média de idade de 101 anos, sendo 27 (81,8%) do sexo feminino, 12 deles (36%) com capacidade cognitiva preservada, assim como independência para ABVDs. Quatorze (58,3%) dos pacientes que responderam a Escala de Depressão Geriátrica não apresentaram sintomas de depressão e demonstraram autopercepção de saúde satisfatória. Do ponto de vista nutricional, 33,3% deles puderam ser classificados como desnutrição instalada, por meio da Mini Avaliação Nutricional (MAN), aumentando para 84,8%, se somados aqueles em risco nutricional. O desempenho físico dos idosos, medido por meio da Short Physical Performance Battery, está significativamente correlacionado, de maneira inversa, ao Fator de Necrose Tumoral, à Interleucina-6, PCR ultra sensível, alfa 1 glicoproteína ácida, velocidade de hemossedimentação e Homocisteína, assim como, de maneira direta, à albumina e ao HDL Colesterol. Os centenários apresentaram elevadas taxas de deficiência de vitamina D e aumento de Homocisteína. Os resultados mostraram que na população estudada não houve diferença significativa na expressão dos genes IGF1R, IGF1, FOXO1, FOXO3 e APOE-4 na comparação entre os grupos demência e não-demência, entre os grupos independência e dependência para ABVDs e entre os desnutridos e não-desnutridos. Houve tendência de diferença na expressão do gene IGF1 entre os grupos demência e não-demência (p=0.07) / Introduction: Centenarians are individuals who have reached one century of life. They live about 20 years longer than the population average life expectancy of developed countries and 25 years longer than developing countries like Brazil. They are part of the fastest growing population segment in the world and it is estimated about 3.8 million seniors in this age group by mid-century. Understanding the longevity basis and the healthy aging remain as great challenges of life sciences in the 21st century. Objectives: 1) The knowledge of physical, cognitive, psychological, functional and nutritional status of Ribeirão Preto centenarians. 2) Compare results between centenarians with and without dementia, malnourished or not, and independent for basic activities daily living (BADL) or not. 3) Analyze the transcriptional gene expression (by real-time PCR) of genes IGF1, IGF2, IGF1R, APOE-4, FOXO1 and FOXO3 in peripheral blood lymphocytes of centenarians. Casuistic and Methods: This is a cross-sectional population-based study of community-dwelling centenarians living in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Ages were confirmed by birth certificate. Weight, height and blood pressure measurements were obtained, as well the bioimpedance, the global geriatric assessment through various consecrated scales, the physical performance and nutritional risk of centenarians. A second chance, patients received one visit for the collection of fasting laboratory tests and sending the genetic material for analysis of gene expression. Results and Conclusions: Thirty three centenarians with an average age of 101 years, 27 (81.8%) of them were females, 12 (36%) of them with no dementia and independent for BADLs. Fourteen (58.3%) of volunteers who responded the Geriatric Depression Scale showed no symptoms of depression and 14 had the same self-perception of satisfactory health. Regarding nutrition state, 33.3% of patients could be classified as installed malnutrition by the Mini Nutritional Assessment, rising to 84.8% if we add those at nutritional risk. The performance measured by Short Physical Performance Battery was inversely correlated to the Tumor Necrosis Factor, Interleukin-6, ultra sensitive PCR, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, ESR and homocysteine, and as a direct manner correlated to albumin and HDL Cholesterol. The centenarians showed high levels of vitamin D deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia. The results showed no significant difference in the IGF1R, IGF1, FOXO1, FOXO3 and APOE-4 expression between Dementia and No dementia groups, between Independent and Dependent groups for BADL and between Malnourished and no malnourished groups. There is a tendency of difference in the expression of IGF1 gene between Dementia and No dementia groups (p=0.07)

Introdução: Centenários são indivíduos que atingiram um século de vida, ou seja, viveram cerca de 20 anos a mais do que a expectativa de vida média da população de países desenvolvidos e 25 anos a mais do que em países em desenvolvimento, como o Brasil. Eles fazem parte do segmento populacional que mais cresce no mundo, sendo estimados aproximadamente 3,8 milhões de idosos nessa faixa etária até a metade deste século. O entendimento das bases da longevidade e do envelhecimento saudável ainda permanece como grande desafio das ciências biológicas no século 21. Objetivos: 1) Conhecimento das características físicas, cognitivas, psíquicas, funcionais e nutricionais da população de centenários presentes na cidade de Ribeirão Preto-SP. 2) Comparar os diversos resultados obtidos entre os centenários com e sem síndrome demencial, desnutridos e não-desnutridos e com independência ou dependência funcional para Atividades Básicas de Vida Diária (ABVDs) pela escala de KATZ. 3) Analisar a expressão gênica transcricional (por qPCR em tempo real) dos genes de interesse IGF1, IGF2, IGF1R, APOE-4, FOXO1 e FOXO3, em linfócitos de sangue periférico dos idosos centenários. Casuística e Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal de base populacional com idosos centenários residentes em Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil. Foram obtidas as medidas de peso, altura e pressão arterial, bem como a bioimpedância elétrica. Foi realizada avaliação geriátrica global, por meio de diversas escalas consagradas e análise do desempenho físico e do risco nutricional desses centenários. Numa segunda oportunidade, os pacientes receberam a visita, em jejum, para a coleta de exames laboratoriais, que foram enviados para análise da expressão genética dos genes de interesse. Resultados e Conclusões: Dos 59 centenários residentes na cidade, foram avaliados 33, com média de idade de 101 anos, sendo 27 (81,8%) do sexo feminino, 12 deles (36%) com capacidade cognitiva preservada, assim como independência para ABVDs. Quatorze (58,3%) dos pacientes que responderam a Escala de Depressão Geriátrica não apresentaram sintomas de depressão e demonstraram autopercepção de saúde satisfatória. Do ponto de vista nutricional, 33,3% deles puderam ser classificados como desnutrição instalada, por meio da Mini Avaliação Nutricional (MAN), aumentando para 84,8%, se somados aqueles em risco nutricional. O desempenho físico dos idosos, medido por meio da Short Physical Performance Battery, está significativamente correlacionado, de maneira inversa, ao Fator de Necrose Tumoral, à Interleucina-6, PCR ultra sensível, alfa 1 glicoproteína ácida, velocidade de hemossedimentação e Homocisteína, assim como, de maneira direta, à albumina e ao HDL Colesterol. Os centenários apresentaram elevadas taxas de deficiência de vitamina D e aumento de Homocisteína. Os resultados mostraram que na população estudada não houve diferença significativa na expressão dos genes IGF1R, IGF1, FOXO1, FOXO3 e APOE-4 na comparação entre os grupos demência e não-demência, entre os grupos independência e dependência para ABVDs e entre os desnutridos e não-desnutridos. Houve tendência de diferença na expressão do gene IGF1 entre os grupos demência e não-demência (p=0.07) / Introduction: Centenarians are individuals who have reached one century of life. They live about 20 years longer than the population average life expectancy of developed countries and 25 years longer than developing countries like Brazil. They are part of the fastest growing population segment in the world and it is estimated about 3.8 million seniors in this age group by mid-century. Understanding the longevity basis and the healthy aging remain as great challenges of life sciences in the 21st century. Objectives: 1) The knowledge of physical, cognitive, psychological, functional and nutritional status of Ribeirão Preto centenarians. 2) Compare results between centenarians with and without dementia, malnourished or not, and independent for basic activities daily living (BADL) or not. 3) Analyze the transcriptional gene expression (by real-time PCR) of genes IGF1, IGF2, IGF1R, APOE-4, FOXO1 and FOXO3 in peripheral blood lymphocytes of centenarians. Casuistic and Methods: This is a cross-sectional population-based study of community-dwelling centenarians living in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Ages were confirmed by birth certificate. Weight, height and blood pressure measurements were obtained, as well the bioimpedance, the global geriatric assessment through various consecrated scales, the physical performance and nutritional risk of centenarians. A second chance, patients received one visit for the collection of fasting laboratory tests and sending the genetic material for analysis of gene expression. Results and Conclusions: Thirty three centenarians with an average age of 101 years, 27 (81.8%) of them were females, 12 (36%) of them with no dementia and independent for BADLs. Fourteen (58.3%) of volunteers who responded the Geriatric Depression Scale showed no symptoms of depression and 14 had the same self-perception of satisfactory health. Regarding nutrition state, 33.3% of patients could be classified as installed malnutrition by the Mini Nutritional Assessment, rising to 84.8% if we add those at nutritional risk. The performance measured by Short Physical Performance Battery was inversely correlated to the Tumor Necrosis Factor, Interleukin-6, ultra sensitive PCR, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, ESR and homocysteine, and as a direct manner correlated to albumin and HDL Cholesterol. The centenarians showed high levels of vitamin D deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia. The results showed no significant difference in the IGF1R, IGF1, FOXO1, FOXO3 and APOE-4 expression between Dementia and No dementia groups, between Independent and Dependent groups for BADL and between Malnourished and no malnourished groups. There is a tendency of difference in the expression of IGF1 gene between Dementia and No dementia groups (p=0.07)

No description available.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-06T17:06:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ines Amanda Streit.pdf: 677484 bytes, checksum: f9ee28ac577544e568f14f0a3ee10183 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-05-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This research aimed to analyze leisure time habits and level of physical activity of centenarians. The participants of this study were 23 older adults, with a mean age of old 101.7 (sd= 2.0 years), living in Florianópolis/SC, Brazil. The study was characterized as descriptive with a cross-sectional study design using secondary data from the database developed by LAGER/CEFID/UDESC. We selected centenarians who had complete data regarding the following variables: identification, practice of leisure time activities, physical exercise, cognitive status, functional capacity, level of physical activity (average number of steps/day), grip strength and gait speed. The data were analyzed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics, with a significance level of 5%. Among the elderly, there was a mean of 641.23 ± 655.83 steps/day, with a wide range of steps/day (22.14 to 2441.57). Leisure time activities most frequently mentioned were those conducted inside the home, such as "watching TV" (95.7%), "sleeping" (52.2%) and "receiving visitors and talk" (52.2%). Physical exercise practice was mentioned by 47.8% of the elderly, walking and stretching modalities were more common. Comparisons of the level of physical activity by sex (U = 36.000, p = 0.907), education (U = 2.229, p = 0.328) and functional capacity (U = 33.000, p = 0.087) showed no significant difference, probably due to the heterogeneity of the group. Older adults that visit their relatives and friends present had an average number of steps/day higher than those who do not visit (p = 0.036). Similarly, centenarians who "shop" had a higher levels of physical activity compared to those who do not have this habit during leisure time (p = 0.022). The variables time to walk 4.6 m and age were significant explained 44.5% of the level of physical activity of centenarians. Meanwhile the variables "shopping", "sleeping" and "visiting relatives or friends" got the best percentages of sensitivity and specificity to discriminate the level of physical activity. It was found that older people who have above 501.86 steps/day are more likely to have the leisure habit of "shopping", those that presented a number of steps/day equal or below 634.57 are more likely to have the leisure habit of "sleep during the day" and those with values above 400.43 steps/day are more to have the leisure habit of "visiting relatives and friends." It was concluded that centenarians performed physical activities and leisure time activities predominantly at the home environment, due to the limitations of their own age, the problems/health conditions, limited mobility, passive leisure options such as watching television. These activities can be modified with the implementation of specific interventions such as physical activity and entertainment programs directed to centenarians in their home environment. / Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar os hábitos de lazer e o nível de atividade física de idosos centenários. Os participantes do estudo foram 23 idosos, com média de idade de 101,7 (DP= 2,0 anos), residentes em Florianópolis/SC, Brasil. O estudo caracterizou-se como transversal e descritivo e as informações foram analisadas a partir do banco de dados desenvolvido pelo LAGER/CEFID/UDESC. Selecionaram-se centenários que apresentaram dados completos sobre as seguintes variáveis: dados de identificação, prática de atividades de lazer, prática de exercício físico, estado cognitivo, capacidade funcional, nível de atividade física (média do número de passos por dia), força de preensão manual e velocidade da marcha. Os dados foram tratados por meio da estatística descritiva e inferencial, com nível de significância de 5%. Verificou-se a média de 641,23 ±655,83 passos/dia entre os idosos, observando-se uma ampla variação de passos/dia (22,14 2441,57). As atividades de lazer mais citadas pelos idosos foram àquelas realizadas no âmbito domiciliar, como assistir televisão (95,7%), dormir (52,2%) e receber visitas e conversar (52,2%). A prática de exercício físico foi mencionada por 47,8% dos idosos, sendo a caminhada e o alongamento as modalidades mais praticadas. As comparações do nível de atividade física segundo o sexo (U=36,000; p=0,907), escolaridade (U=2,229; p=0,328) e capacidade funcional (U=33,000; p=0,087) não apresentaram diferenças significativas. Idosos que visitam parentes e amigos apresentaram média do número de passos/dia maior do que os que não praticam (p=0,036). Do mesmo modo, os idosos que fazem compras apresentaram maior nível de atividade física quando comparados aos que não tinham este hábito de lazer (p=0,022). O tempo de marcha para percorrer 4,6m e a idade foram as variáveis significativas que explicaram 44,5% o nível de atividade física dos idosos centenários. As variáveis fazer compras , dormir e visitar parentes ou amigos obtiveram os melhores valores percentuais de sensibilidade e especificidade para discriminar o nível de atividade física. Verificou-se que os idosos que apresentaram acima de 501,86 passos/dia são mais propensos a realizar o hábito de lazer fazer compras , os que apresentaram número de passos/dia igual ou abaixo de 634,57 estão mais predispostos a praticar o hábito de lazer dormir durante o dia e os que apresentaram valores acima de 400,43 passos/dia tem maior tendência de praticar o hábito de lazer visitar parentes e amigos . Concluiu-se que os idosos centenários realizaram suas atividades físicas e de lazer predominantemente no ambiente domiciliar, devido às limitações da própria idade, aos problemas/condições de saúde, dificuldade de locomoção, ao lazer passivo como assistir televisão. Essas atividades podem ser modificadas com a implementação de intervenções e programas de atividades físicas e de lazer voltados aos centenários em seu ambiente domiciliar.

Studiens syfte är att ur ett livsloppsperspektiv belysa vilka bemästringsstrategier finlandssvenskar i åldern 100-103 år har använt från barndomen till ålderdomen. Fokus läggs främst på bemästring av svårigheter, men studien tar även fasta på hur man som 100-åring ser på livet idag och på framtiden. För studien intervjuades tre kvinnor och två män i Finland. En kvalitativ innehållsanalys användes för att tolka intervjumaterialet. Studiens resultat visar att de intervjuade som barn i Finland i början av 1900-talet fick bemästra genom att acceptera och vara i ödets händer. I vuxenlivet tog de däremot kontroll över sina liv och vägde ofta fördelar mot nackdelar. Idag som 100-åringar vill de behålla kontrollen trots behov av hjälp, men ser också tillbaka på och accepterar livet som helhet. Vissa strategier syns även över längre perioder i livet. Behovet av socialt stöd är en viktig aspekt, men även individens inställning till livet har stor roll. Resultatet visar hur viktigt det är att låta till och med 100-åringar behålla sin självbestämmanderätt för att själva kunna bemästra svårigheter. / The aim of this study is to show which coping strategies fennoswedish centenarians aged 100-103 have used throughout life. The study is conducted from a life course perspective, with focus on coping strategies in times of difficulties, but the study also sheds light on how centenarians experience life today and what they think of the future. Three women and two men were interviewed for the study in Finland. A qualitative content analysis was done to interpret the data. The result shows that the interviewed centenarians, as childen in the early 20th century Finland, had to cope by accepting and by leaving one’s fate in someone else’s hands. In adult life, however, the interviewees took control of their lives and often weighed the pros and cons to cope with difficulties. Today the centenarians want to maintain control even though they are in need of help, but also look back on and accept life as a whole. Some coping strategies are also present over longer periods in life, for example the need for social support, as well as the individual attitude. The result shows the importantance of allowing centenarians to maintain their autonomy in order to cope with difficulties.

L’explosion récente du nombre de centenaires dans les pays à faible mortalité n’est pas étrangère à la multiplication des études portant sur la longévité, et plus spécifiquement sur ses déterminants et ses répercussions. Alors que certains tentent de découvrir les gènes pouvant être responsables de la longévité extrême, d’autres s’interrogent sur l’impact social, économique et politique du vieillissement de la population et de l’augmentation de l’espérance de vie ou encore, sur l’existence d’une limite biologique à la vie humaine. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, nous analysons la situation démographique des centenaires québécois depuis le début du 20e siècle à partir de données agrégées (données de recensement, statistiques de l’état civil, estimations de population). Dans un deuxième temps, nous évaluons la qualité des données québécoises aux grands âges à partir d’une liste nominative des décès de centenaires des générations 1870-1894. Nous nous intéressons entre autres aux trajectoires de mortalité au-delà de cent ans. Finalement, nous analysons la survie des frères, sœurs et parents d’un échantillon de semi-supercentenaires (105 ans et plus) nés entre 1890 et 1900 afin de se prononcer sur la composante familiale de la longévité. Cette thèse se compose de trois articles. Dans le cadre du premier, nous traitons de l’évolution du nombre de centenaires au Québec depuis les années 1920. Sur la base d’indicateurs démographiques tels le ratio de centenaires, les probabilités de survie et l’âge maximal moyen au décès, nous mettons en lumière les progrès remarquables qui ont été réalisés en matière de survie aux grands âges. Nous procédons également à la décomposition des facteurs responsables de l’augmentation du nombre de centenaires au Québec. Ainsi, au sein des facteurs identifiés, l’augmentation de la probabilité de survie de 80 à 100 ans s’inscrit comme principal déterminant de l’accroissement du nombre de centenaires québécois. Le deuxième article traite de la validation des âges au décès des centenaires des générations 1870-1894 d’origine canadienne-française et de confession catholique nés et décédés au Québec. Au terme de ce processus de validation, nous pouvons affirmer que les données québécoises aux grands âges sont d’excellente qualité. Les trajectoires de mortalité des centenaires basées sur les données brutes s’avèrent donc représentatives de la réalité. L’évolution des quotients de mortalité à partir de 100 ans témoigne de la décélération de la mortalité. Autant chez les hommes que chez les femmes, les quotients de mortalité plafonnent aux alentours de 45%. Finalement, dans le cadre du troisième article, nous nous intéressons à la composante familiale de la longévité. Nous comparons la survie des frères, sœurs et parents des semi-supercentenaires décédés entre 1995 et 2004 à celle de leurs cohortes de naissance respectives. Les différences de survie entre les frères, sœurs et parents des semi-supercentenaires sous observation et leur génération « contrôle » s’avèrent statistiquement significatives à un seuil de 0,01%. De plus, les frères, sœurs, pères et mères des semi-supercentenaires ont entre 1,7 (sœurs) et 3 fois (mères) plus de chance d’atteindre 90 ans que les membres de leur cohorte de naissance correspondante. Ainsi, au terme de ces analyses, il ne fait nul doute que la longévité se concentre au sein de certaines familles. / The recent rise in the number of centenarians within low mortality countries has led to multiple studies conducted on longevity, and more specifically on its determinants and repercussions. Some are trying to identify genes that could be responsible for extreme longevity. Others are studying the social, economic and political impact of the rise in life expectancy and population aging, or questioning themselves about the existence of a biological limit to the human life span. In this thesis, we first study the demographic situation of centenarians from Quebec using aggregated data (census data, vital statistics, and population estimations). Then, we evaluate the quality of Quebec data at the oldest ages using the death records of centenarians belonging to the 1870-1894 birth cohorts. We are particularly interested in the mortality trajectories beyond 100 years old. Finally, we analyze the survival of siblings and parents of a semi-supercentenarians (105 years and over) sample in order to assess the familial component of longevity. The thesis is divided into three articles. In the first article, we study the evolution of the centenarian population from the 1920s in Quebec. With demographic indicators such as the centenarian ratio, the survival probabilities and the maximal age at death, we try to demonstrate the remarkable progress realised in old age mortality. We also analyze the determinants of the increase in the number of centenarians in Quebec. Among the factors identified, the improvement in late mortality is the main determinant of the increase of the number of centenarians in Quebec. The second article deals with the validation of the ages at death of French-Canadian centenarians born in Quebec between 1870-1894. The validation results confirm that Quebec data at the highest ages at death are of very good quality. Therefore, the measure of centenarian mortality based on all death records is representative of the true trends. The evolution of age-specific life table death rates beyond 100 years old assesses the mortality deceleration at the highest ages. Among men and women, the death rates reach a plateau at around 45%. Finally, in the third article, we study the familial predisposition for longevity. We compare the survival probabilities of siblings and parents of semi-supercentenarians deceased between 1995 and 2004 to those of their birth cohort-matched counterparts. The survival differences between the siblings and parents of semi-supercentenarians and their respective birth cohorts are statistically significant at a 0,01% level of significance. The siblings and parents have a 1,7 to 3 times greater probability of survival from age 50 to 90 then members of their respective birth cohorts. These findings support the existence of a substantial familial component to longevity.

L’explosion récente du nombre de centenaires dans les pays à faible mortalité n’est pas étrangère à la multiplication des études portant sur la longévité, et plus spécifiquement sur ses déterminants et ses répercussions. Alors que certains tentent de découvrir les gènes pouvant être responsables de la longévité extrême, d’autres s’interrogent sur l’impact social, économique et politique du vieillissement de la population et de l’augmentation de l’espérance de vie ou encore, sur l’existence d’une limite biologique à la vie humaine. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, nous analysons la situation démographique des centenaires québécois depuis le début du 20e siècle à partir de données agrégées (données de recensement, statistiques de l’état civil, estimations de population). Dans un deuxième temps, nous évaluons la qualité des données québécoises aux grands âges à partir d’une liste nominative des décès de centenaires des générations 1870-1894. Nous nous intéressons entre autres aux trajectoires de mortalité au-delà de cent ans. Finalement, nous analysons la survie des frères, sœurs et parents d’un échantillon de semi-supercentenaires (105 ans et plus) nés entre 1890 et 1900 afin de se prononcer sur la composante familiale de la longévité. Cette thèse se compose de trois articles. Dans le cadre du premier, nous traitons de l’évolution du nombre de centenaires au Québec depuis les années 1920. Sur la base d’indicateurs démographiques tels le ratio de centenaires, les probabilités de survie et l’âge maximal moyen au décès, nous mettons en lumière les progrès remarquables qui ont été réalisés en matière de survie aux grands âges. Nous procédons également à la décomposition des facteurs responsables de l’augmentation du nombre de centenaires au Québec. Ainsi, au sein des facteurs identifiés, l’augmentation de la probabilité de survie de 80 à 100 ans s’inscrit comme principal déterminant de l’accroissement du nombre de centenaires québécois. Le deuxième article traite de la validation des âges au décès des centenaires des générations 1870-1894 d’origine canadienne-française et de confession catholique nés et décédés au Québec. Au terme de ce processus de validation, nous pouvons affirmer que les données québécoises aux grands âges sont d’excellente qualité. Les trajectoires de mortalité des centenaires basées sur les données brutes s’avèrent donc représentatives de la réalité. L’évolution des quotients de mortalité à partir de 100 ans témoigne de la décélération de la mortalité. Autant chez les hommes que chez les femmes, les quotients de mortalité plafonnent aux alentours de 45%. Finalement, dans le cadre du troisième article, nous nous intéressons à la composante familiale de la longévité. Nous comparons la survie des frères, sœurs et parents des semi-supercentenaires décédés entre 1995 et 2004 à celle de leurs cohortes de naissance respectives. Les différences de survie entre les frères, sœurs et parents des semi-supercentenaires sous observation et leur génération « contrôle » s’avèrent statistiquement significatives à un seuil de 0,01%. De plus, les frères, sœurs, pères et mères des semi-supercentenaires ont entre 1,7 (sœurs) et 3 fois (mères) plus de chance d’atteindre 90 ans que les membres de leur cohorte de naissance correspondante. Ainsi, au terme de ces analyses, il ne fait nul doute que la longévité se concentre au sein de certaines familles. / The recent rise in the number of centenarians within low mortality countries has led to multiple studies conducted on longevity, and more specifically on its determinants and repercussions. Some are trying to identify genes that could be responsible for extreme longevity. Others are studying the social, economic and political impact of the rise in life expectancy and population aging, or questioning themselves about the existence of a biological limit to the human life span. In this thesis, we first study the demographic situation of centenarians from Quebec using aggregated data (census data, vital statistics, and population estimations). Then, we evaluate the quality of Quebec data at the oldest ages using the death records of centenarians belonging to the 1870-1894 birth cohorts. We are particularly interested in the mortality trajectories beyond 100 years old. Finally, we analyze the survival of siblings and parents of a semi-supercentenarians (105 years and over) sample in order to assess the familial component of longevity. The thesis is divided into three articles. In the first article, we study the evolution of the centenarian population from the 1920s in Quebec. With demographic indicators such as the centenarian ratio, the survival probabilities and the maximal age at death, we try to demonstrate the remarkable progress realised in old age mortality. We also analyze the determinants of the increase in the number of centenarians in Quebec. Among the factors identified, the improvement in late mortality is the main determinant of the increase of the number of centenarians in Quebec. The second article deals with the validation of the ages at death of French-Canadian centenarians born in Quebec between 1870-1894. The validation results confirm that Quebec data at the highest ages at death are of very good quality. Therefore, the measure of centenarian mortality based on all death records is representative of the true trends. The evolution of age-specific life table death rates beyond 100 years old assesses the mortality deceleration at the highest ages. Among men and women, the death rates reach a plateau at around 45%. Finally, in the third article, we study the familial predisposition for longevity. We compare the survival probabilities of siblings and parents of semi-supercentenarians deceased between 1995 and 2004 to those of their birth cohort-matched counterparts. The survival differences between the siblings and parents of semi-supercentenarians and their respective birth cohorts are statistically significant at a 0,01% level of significance. The siblings and parents have a 1,7 to 3 times greater probability of survival from age 50 to 90 then members of their respective birth cohorts. These findings support the existence of a substantial familial component to longevity.