The disease incidence of long-lived veterans of the Smolensk region

Abstract

Aim. To study the multimorbid features in the long-lived veterans of the Smolensk region. Material and methods. One hundred and twelve patients (male =58, female =54) aged ≥90 years who were hospitalized and rehabilitated at the Smolensk Regional Clinical Hospital for War Veterans during the period of 2013-2015 was surveyed. We studied previous diseases, multimorbidity index. Blood pressure was measured daily for all patients. The criteria for arterial hypertension were considered blood pressure >140/90 mm Hg. or regular use of antihypertensive drugs. All patients get a clinical blood analysis, routine electrocardiography, Holter recording if medically required. We determined total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, bilirubin, creatinine, urea serum (analyzer — STAT FAX “USA”). Results. The results of the study demonstrated: disability at the age of >60 years old, low multimorbidity index (<4 diseases per patient) and a primary damages of cardiovascular system. Arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 71,4%, coronary artery disease — in 98,9%, chronic heart failure — in 87,5%, post-infarction cardiosclerosis — in 16,7%, atrial fibrillation — in 14,3% of study participants. There was a low incidence of oncopathology (2,7%), endocrinological diseases (2,7%), diseases of the blood system (<1,8%); there were no mental diseases. Drug therapy was mainly represented by antihypertensive (72%), vascular (69,7%) drugs, antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents (67,6%). Also 27,7% of respondents took antibiotics, 38,4% — non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 41,9% — diuretics. Conclusion. Multimorbid “background” of long-living veterans of the Great Patriotic War of the Smolensk region is represented mainly by diseases of the cardiovascular system. There is a high adherence to antihypertensive therapy, antiplatelet agents and diuretics.