[Self-perception of health and mortality in elderly from a rural community].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship between self-perception of their health and mortality in a representative sample of persons over 65 in a rural community.


METHODS
Survival study of population with three years observance.


METHODS
A non-coastal and rural borough in Galicia.


METHODS
408 people over 65, chosen by random sampling.


RESULTS
The demographic, social and health (objective and subjective) parameters were determined through an initial survey, with subsequent follow-up to find the date and cause of death should this have occurred. Of the 404 elderly people observed, 67 (16%) died. The main causes of death were diseases of the circulatory apparatus (48%) followed by tumours. Mortality was higher in people who were older, unmarried, didn't drink alcohol, were seriously ill, had restricted mobility, consumed more medicines and had a perception of their health as poor. We found an association between self-perceived health and mortality, after adjustment for age, sex, marital status, educational level and consumption of medicines, only when we looked at the elderly without restricted mobility (RR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.0-5.3).


CONCLUSIONS
We think that self-perception of health status can be an overall indicator of health, linked to mortality, and that in the elderly with good mobility, this association can be independent of age, sex, educational level, marital status and consumption of medicines.
Fernández-Merino
M C
MC
Centro de Saúde A Estrada, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. mepach@usc.es
Rey-García
J
J
Tato
A
A
Beceiro
F
F
Barros-Dios
J
J
Gude
F
F
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population; D012649:Self Concept; D013030:Spain
Autopercepción de la salud y mortalidad en ancianos de una comunidad rural.