Blood pressure in relation to medical, psychological and social variables in a population of 80-year-olds. Survival during 6 years.
OBJECTIVE
To relate elevated blood pressure in 80-year-olds to symptoms, life satisfaction and survival.


METHODS
Examinations of medical, psychological and social factors every year between 80 and 86 years of age.


METHODS
Primary health care in the city of Lund in southern Sweden.


METHODS
Three-hundred and thirty-three persons living in the city of Lund and born in 1908. Participation rate was 67%.


METHODS
Abnormal findings were further examined and treated.


METHODS
Symptoms, blood pressure, laboratory values, psychological factors, cognition, living conditions, and survival.


RESULTS
Hypertension according to the definition used was found in 70%. Women were over-represented (P < 0.05). Amongst persons with alleged hypertension, diuretics (P < 0.001) and 'other cardiovascular drugs' (P < 0.001) were more often used. Analgesics were more often used amongst assessed hypertensives (P < 0.05). Those with assessed hypertension scored better in testing of cognition compared to nonhypertensives (P < 0.05), and less often lived in institutions (P < 0.001). Assessed hypertensives had a better survival than alleged hypertensives during the following 7 years (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Eighty-year-olds with assessed hypertension in the consulting room showed fewer symptoms and had a better cognition and survival than alleged hypertensives (those with a history of hypertension).
Jensen
E
E
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Lund, Sweden.
Dehlin
O
O
Hagberg
B
B
Samuelsson
G
G
Svensson
T
T
Lidfeldt
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012944:Social Support; D016019:Survival Analysis