[Health problems of elderly patients in a rural area]

The purpose of this study was to identify diseases frequently found in elderly populations in rural areas as well as to discuss the role of geriatric physicians in medical care for elderly patients. The study was conducted using ICHPPC-2-Defined (Japan version) which had been compiled by WONCA for the classification of diseases. The acute health problems treated by the clinic consisted of 183 types (2070 items) in 1916 patients seen during 19 months compared to 66 types of chronic problems consisting of 505 items in 179 patients. The most frequent acute complaints and health problems were acute infections of the upper respiratory tract, followed by diseases of the stomach and duodenum, then osteoarthritis and allied conditions. The most common chronic health problems were uncomplicated hypertension, osteoarthritis and allied conditions, osteoporosis, lipid metabolism disorders, complicated hypertension, cataract, and various other illnesses extending over all specialties of medicine. Geriatric physicians are required to have broad and multidisciplinary knowledge and skill to provide comprehensive and continual medical care for elderly patients in rural areas.