Life span and disability: a cross sectional comparison of Russian and Swedish community based data.
OBJECTIVE
To compare levels of disability (in terms of physical function and self rated health) among middle aged and elderly people in Russia and Sweden, a country with high life expectancy.


METHODS
Cross sectional study.


METHODS
General population of the Russian Federation and of two counties in southern Sweden.


METHODS
Randomly selected men and women in Sweden (n = 9489) and Russia (n = 1599).


METHODS
Official life table data; self rated health and physical functioning (subscale of the SF-36).


RESULTS
The official life table data showed large differences in mortality--for example, 36% of Russian men aged 45-49 years would survive the next 25 years compared with 75% of Swedish men. The survey data showed, for both sexes, similar levels of self rated health and physical functioning in the two countries up to the age of about 45 years, but after that, the age related decline in both outcomes was much faster in Russia than in Sweden. By combining the national life tables with survey data on physical functioning we estimated that in the age group 45-49 years, 99% of Russian and 97% of Swedish men would be free of disability; of these, if these data were for a cohort, only 17% of Russians would be alive and free of disability 25 years later compared with 65% of Swedes. The difference in survival was similar in women.


CONCLUSIONS
Large differences exist in survival without disability between elderly Russians and Swedes. The short life span in Russia reflects high levels of ill health and disability and is associated with a rapid age related decline in physical functioning.
Bobak
Martin
M
International Centre for Health and Society, University College London, London WC1E 6BT. m.bobak@ucl.ac.uk
Kristenson
Margareta
M
Pikhart
Hynek
H
Marmot
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology