Mortality in the elderly? A 3-year follow-up of an elderly community sample

Abstract

A simple random sample of 334 persons aged 75+ years living in their own homes was initially examined in 1984/1985 and reexamined by the same physician 3 years later. The assessment included measures of mental and physical health, social integration, functional capacity, use of drugs and use of tobacco and alcohol. Mortality was recorded in the following 3 years. The mortality rate was increased among demented and depressed elderly and persons suffering from stroke or cancer. Increased mortality was also seen among subjects with hearing impairment, poor mobility and poor social integration, and in users of neuroleptics, digitalis and tobacco. A stepwise logistic regression analysis identified dementia, cancer, male sex and hearing impairments as explanatory variables for death. The study concludes that several factors may predict mortality in the elderly, especially in persons of 75 years and over. When compared with other studies, the most consistent predictors of death in elderly persons are dementia, depression and poor social integration.