A randomised controlled trial of the outcome of health assessment of people aged 75 years and over.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the outcomes of a health assessment, conducted by a nurse, of people aged 75 years and older (75+HA) living independently in their own homes.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial (RCT).


METHODS
A convenience sample of six general practices within the Adelaide Western Division of General Practice (AWDGP). A random sample of 100 participants was drawn from practice age-sex registers. Data were collected in initial visits between 1 August 1998 and February 1999, then in follow-up visits one year later.


METHODS
Participants were aged 75 years and over on 1 August 1998 and living independently in the community. 145 eligible patients were invited to join the study, and 100 of these consented to enrol (69%).


METHODS
A 75+HA conducted in the participant's home by a nurse and reported to their usual general practitioner.


METHODS
Primary: number of problems in each group; number of participants with problems; and mortality. Secondary: physical function; psychological (including cognitive) function; falls; and admission to institution.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between the control and intervention groups at follow-up in the number of problems, the number of participants with problems, or mortality. In the intervention group, there was significant improvement in self-rated health, geriatric depression score (GDS 15), and number of falls.


CONCLUSIONS
This RCT has not demonstrated improvement in health status of the intervention group which received a 75+HA compared with a control group left to usual care.
Newbury
J W
JW
Department of General Practice, Adelaide University, SA. jonathan.newbury@adelaide.edu.au
Marley
J E
JE
Beilby
J J
JJ
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000401:mortality*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology