[Changes in trends of diseases requiring long-term care in an aging community]

Objectives　The purpose of this study was to identify the changes in trends of leading diseases that require long-term care within a 5-year period in an area with a rapidly growing aging population.Methods　Data were obtained from newly registered primary insured individuals for long-term care insurance in Sapporo Minami Ward. There were 2,538 participants in FY2018 and 4,089 in FY2013 and FY2014.　Disorders diagnosed by a primary doctor were categorized into groups using a long-term care questionnaire survey from the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions. The difference in the frequency of diseases between the survey years was examined using a chi-square test.Results　In men, there was no significant change in the frequency of diseases that require long-term care within the 5-year period. In women, the frequency of cerebrovascular diseases significantly reduced (7.8% for FY2013 and 2014 vs. 5.6% for FY2018; P=0.008) and fractures and falls significantly increased (9.5% vs. 13.8%; P=0.001).　Regarding the diseases in the severe-level category of long-term care insurance, malignancy was the most frequent disorder in men, followed by stroke. In women, the frequency of fractures and falls increased (10.5% vs. 17.7%; P=0.002) and subsequently became the most frequently occurring disorder. Similarly, the frequency of fractures and falls increased significantly (9.2% vs. 12.5%; P=0.004) in the mild-level long-term care insurance category.Conclusion　For women, fractures and falls increased within the 5-year period, indicating the need to introduce a prompt preventive program. Lifestyle-related diseases such as malignancy and cerebrovascular diseases have become the main reason for shortening a healthy lifespan. This finding highlights the importance of preventing lifestyle-related diseases.