Compared with those who were still alive during follow-up, those who died during follow-up were older (P < 0.001), less likely to have university education or above (P = 0.020), less likely to be former smokers (P = 0.022) or current smokers (P < 0.001), more likely to be physically inactive (P < 0.001), had a lower level of total cholesterol (P < 0.001), had a higher prevalence of diabetes (P < 0.001), cognitive impairment (P < 0.001), and mobility limitation (P < 0.001), and less likely to be an APOE ε4 carrier (P = 0.046) after controlling for age. This evidence concerns the gene APOE and diabetes mellitus.