[Urologic characteristics of 7 patients over 100 years of age]

In the last few decades the old old have increased continuously in numbers. Diseases of the genitourinary organs are a frequent part of the multiple morbidity we are familiar with in such patients. In the 9th decade of life the renal parenchyma is reduced by 30-50%. The decreased glomerular filtration combined with tubular insufficiency leads to disturbances of the electrolyte, water and acid-base balance. In contrast to these involutionary changes in the kidneys, the prostate increases in size owing to varying degrees of hyperplasia, and the incidence of malignant growth increases progressively. A total of 575 patients over the age of 100 years were observed at the Medical Policlinic of Würzburg University, and 7 of these who had pronounced urological disorders are described in detail. The variations in the ageing process are considerable. Urological illnesses in the course of the multiple morbidity usual in this group have a particularly unfavourable influence in the terminal phase of these old old patients.