All-Cause Mortality for Life Insurance Applicants with a Family History of Coronary Artery Disease Before 60.

Abstract

Objective: -To determine the all-cause mortality of life insurance applicants having a family history of coronary artery disease (CAD) before age 60.

Background: -Epidemiological studies have shown that a family history of premature CAD is an independent risk factor for CAD events. The strength of the association between family history and CAD is greatest with earlier age of presentation of CAD in the family member and when multiple family members are affected. Despite earlier insurance studies on this relationship, there is sparse current data on the association between family history of CAD and all-cause mortality in life insurance applicants.

Methodology: -Life insurance applicants with reported family history of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) were extracted from data covering United States residents between October 2009 and October 2016. Information about these applicants was matched to the Social Security Death Master (SSDMF) file for deaths occurring from 2009 to 2012 and to another commercially available death source file (Other Death Source, ODS) for deaths occurring from 2009 to 2016 to determine vital status. Actual to Expected (A/E) mortality ratios were calculated using the Society of Actuaries 2015 Valuation Basic Table (2015VBT), select and ultimate table (age last birthday). All expected bases were not smoker distinct. Confidence bands around these mortality ratios were calculated. The variables of interest were applicant age, gender, number of family members with CAD before age 60, and the presence of cardiac or cardiovascular conditions.

Results: -Overall, the mortality of applicants with family members with a history of CAD before age 60 was slightly lower than expected mortality based on the 2015 VBT. Applicants with a cardiac or cardiovascular comorbid condition had a significantly higher mortality ratio. For applicants aged 25-54 and 65-75 with cardiac comorbid conditions, the mortality ratio was 2 times that of those without a cardiac comorbid condition. For those aged 55-64 with cardiovascular comorbid conditions, the mortality ratio was 2.9 times that of those without a cardiovascular comorbid condition. Females had a slightly higher mortality ratio for all age groups, number of family members with CAD before age 60, and cardiovascular conditions.

Conclusion: -A family history of CAD before the age of 60 in an insurance applicant may be associated with increased all-cause mortality. Overall in this study, life insurance applicants had a mortality slightly lower than the expected mortality based on the 2015 VBT. However, applicants with a positive family history and a cardiac or cardiovascular comorbid condition had a significantly higher mortality ratio.