Abstract
Objective To describe the demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, functional status (autonomy, strength), and health status (cognitive and thymic functions, cardiovascular risk factors, and nutritional status) of the oldest olds living on the Greek island of Ikaria. We also try to explain the longevity observed in this population. Methods A cross-sectional observational study of people aged 90 and over living in both municipalities of north-western Ikaria (Evdilos and Raches) was conducted over one year, from October 21, 2012 to October 21, 2013. The participants were interviewed (medical history), had a brief clinical examination, and underwent standardized geriatric assessments including the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), the Mini-Mental-State Examination (MMSE), the Activities of Daily Living (ADL), the Instrumental ADL (IADL), and an assessment of grip strength. Results Seventy-one persons (37 females, 34 males), aged 94.1 years on average, were interviewed at their homes. Seven percent were current smokers (females 5.4%, males 8.8%). Hypertension was diagnosed in 70.4% of participants, diabetes in 19.7%, hypercholesterolemia in 12.7%, and obesity in 17.2%; 66.0% of the population had one chronic disease or more. The mean score for the GDS-15 scale was 3.7/15.0, 23.7/30.0 for the MMSE, 4.0/6.0 for the ADL, and 4.2/8.0 in females and 3.6/5.0 in males for the IADL. Grip strength was 17.0 kg in females and 26.5 kg in males. Conclusions This study provides an overview of the socio-demographic and medical characteristics of the oldest olds living in a longevity Blue Zone.
Highlights
As the “baby boom” generation has gotten older, life expectancy has increased considerably [1]
Considering that people aged ≥80 face the highest rates of disability and dementia, an increase in this population is a major burden for public health [2, 3]. e most elderly demographic, known as the oldest olds (OOs), o en suffer from frailty syndrome, which is associated with functional decline and increased mortality [4]
Except for Mini-Mental-State Examination (MMSE) scores, which were significantly higher in females than in males, and Grip strength (GS), which was significantly lower in females than in males, there was no significant difference between genders for the other parameters (GDS-15, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental ADL (IADL) and body mass index (BMI)) (Table 4)
Summary
To describe the demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, functional status (autonomy, strength), and health status (cognitive and thymic functions, cardiovascular risk factors, and nutritional status) of the oldest olds living on the Greek island of Ikaria. E participants were interviewed (medical history), had a brief clinical examination, and underwent standardized geriatric assessments including the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), the Mini-Mental-State Examination (MMSE), the Activities of Daily Living (ADL), the Instrumental ADL (IADL), and an assessment of grip strength. E mean score for the GDS-15 scale was 3.7/15.0, 23.7/30.0 for the MMSE, 4.0/6.0 for the ADL, and 4.2/8.0 in females and 3.6/5.0 in males for the IADL. Conclusions. is study provides an overview of the socio-demographic and medical characteristics of the oldest olds living in a longevity Blue Zone
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