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Chronic diseases in elderly men: underreporting and underdiagnosis
Morten Frost1, Kristian Wraae, Claire Gudex
1Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Odense C DK-5000, Denmark. frostnielsen@yahoo.com
Age and Ageing
|December 8, 2011
Summary
Elderly men frequently underreport chronic conditions like erectile dysfunction and osteoporosis, despite high prevalence. Lifestyle factors such as smoking and inactivity are common, highlighting the need for increased awareness among the public and physicians.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Accurate chronic disease prevalence data is crucial for public health planning and prevention.
- Elderly populations often present unique challenges in disease reporting and diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the self-reported and clinically assessed prevalence of common chronic disorders in elderly men.
- To compare self-reported data with clinical findings for risk factors and disease prevalence.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving a random sample of 4,975 men aged 60-74 years.
- Data collection included questionnaires, telephone interviews, and physical examinations.
- Self-reported data was cross-referenced with hospital medical records.
Main Results:
- High prevalence of physical inactivity (27%), smoking (22%), and excessive alcohol intake (17%) was reported.
- Most chronic diseases, including hypertension and musculoskeletal disorders, were underreported.
- Erectile dysfunction (48%) and hypogonadism (21%) were significantly underreported.
Conclusions:
- Elderly Danish men exhibit high rates of detrimental lifestyle factors.
- Chronic diseases, particularly erectile dysfunction and osteoporosis, are often underdiagnosed.
- Increased awareness of chronic disease prevalence is essential for both the public and healthcare providers.
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