Escaping most common lethal diseases in old age: Morbidity profiles of Portuguese centenarians

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Brandao, D (Author) Other; Ribeiro, O (Author) Other; Afonso, RM (Author) Other; Constança Paúl (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: European Geriatric Medicine

Vol. 8

Pages: 310-314

ISSN: 1878-7649

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 6 Citations

Scopus - 6 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-WXW

DOI: 10.1016/j.eurger.2017.04.011

Abstract (EN): Introduction: Exceptional long-lived individuals, i.e., centenarians, are thought to have survived or escaped diseases that are common causes of death at younger ages. A better understanding of their health profile and health trajectories provides important information for geriatric care provision. This study aims to examine morbidity profiles of a sample of Portuguese centenarians with a particular focus on the characteristics of those who have evaded a list of age-related illnesses. Materials and methods: Two hundred and forty-one centenarians (M age = 101.16 years; 88% female) from two centenarian studies were considered. They and/or their proxies were asked on their health history and then labeled as "escapers'', "survivors'' or "delayers'' following Evert et al.' s morbidity typology (2003). Sociodemographic characteristics, physical and mental health status of each group were analyzed. Results: Sensorial impairments and incontinence were the most frequent conditions reported. Considering the three most lethal diseases of the elderly population (heart disease, non-skin cancer and stroke), we verified that 70.6% of centenarians escaped these diseases, and 18.2% experienced a delayed onset of such diseases until the age of 80. Conclusions: Findings reinforce the great variability of age-related pathologies and overall health status in centenarians, but that a great majority had the ability to evade the most lethal conditions. Management of patients with multimorbidity in very advanced ages has become a major healthcare challenge and our findings provide further evidence for policies and targeted interventions for this population.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5