Regional differences in morbidity profiles and health care use in the oldest old: Findings from two Centenarian Studies in Portugal

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Daniela BrandãoConstança Paúl

Abstract

The worldwide increase of human life expectancy and the rapid aging of the population will contribute to an increasing prevalence of chronic illness. Even so, individuals who reach very advanced ages often postpone or escape age-related diseases that are common causes of death. This article aims to examine health-related characteristics of two distinct samples of Portuguese centenarians (one predominantly rural - PR vs. one predominantly urban - PU), and explore potential dissimilarities in their morbidity profiles and use of health care services. A total of 241 centenarians were considered. Sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and use of health care services were assessed by semi-structured interviews with the centenarians and their proxies (family or formal caregiver). A higher average of 4.80 self-reported illnesses (sd = 2.01) were found in the PU sample (vs. 2.96; sd = 1.77 in the PR sample); in overall the PR sample presented a better health condition with lower levels of physical and mental impairments, and a greater number of centenarians who did not succumb to the three most common lethal diseases (heart disease, non-skin cancer and stroke) in the elderly population (85.4% vs. 60% in the PU sample). Portugu...Continue Reading

Citations

Jun 2, 2020·International Journal of Aging & Human Development·Ana Saraiva AmaralOscar Ribeiro
Dec 4, 2019·International Psychogeriatrics·Anna Scelzo
Jun 4, 2020·Aging Clinical and Experimental Research·Yoram BarakPaul Glue

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