Epidemiologic considerations of the geriatric population

In the free-living population, approximately 30% of men and 53% of women over the age of 55 years have peripheral joint complaint. Neck and low back complaints occur in 25% of men and 40% of women in the corresponding age group. One third of free-living elderly people suffer from rheumatism. About 25% have shortness of breath, and another 25% have hypertension. Diabetes ranks seventh among self-reported diseases. Approximately 40% of elderly people report a poor health condition, 20-50% cannot perform all activities of daily life, and about 30% are physically handicapped. An examination of problems seen by general practitioners reveals that overweight ranks first (prevalence, 20% of visits per year), osteoarthritis second (19% of visits per year), and hypertension third (17.5% of visits per year); diabetes, however, ranks thirteenth among problems seen during annual visits to the general practitioner. Only 20-50% of people suffering from osteoarthritis or entesopathies soft-tissue rheumatisms visit their general practitioners, while three quarter do so in the case of rheumatoid arthritis. For people older than 55 years of age, 40-60% of men, and 55-82% of women use drugs daily. Analgesics and antirheumatic drugs are used daily by 15% of women and 5% of men over 55 years old. In view of our aging population, it can be anticipated that soon after the year 2000, the percentage of elderly people will be doubled in most European countries reaching 25% of the total population, while 40% will be older than 55 years of age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)