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Age estimation in the elderly: relevance to geriatric research in developing countries.
T N Srinivasan1, T R Suresh, S Rajkumar
1T.N. Srinivasan, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, Porur, Madras - 600116.
Indian Journal of Psychiatry
|July 22, 2011
Summary
Accurate age estimation is crucial for geriatric research. In developing nations, a checklist study found patients often under-report their age by an average of three years due to record scarcity and illiteracy.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Demography
- Public Health
Background:
- Accurate age estimation is vital for geriatric research and health planning.
- Developing countries face challenges in age determination due to limited records and high illiteracy rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the accuracy of self-reported age in a population with limited record-keeping.
- To evaluate the utility of a personal and historical events checklist for age estimation.
Main Methods:
- A study involving fifty patients was conducted.
- Age was assessed using a checklist of significant personal and historical life events.
Main Results:
- The average patient under-reported their age.
- The mean age under-reporting was found to be approximately three years.
Conclusions:
- Self-reported age may be unreliable in populations with limited documentation.
- A checklist of life events can aid in age estimation but indicates a tendency towards under-reporting.
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