[Self-perceived health, the use of services and drug consumption in a noninstitutionalized older population]

To describe the self-perceived health status, the use of services and drugs consumption of the elderly population in Toledo province.

Descriptive crossover study.

Primary Care, Toledo province.

591 people over 65 and not in an institution. Stratified according to age, gender and place of residence.

A validated questionnaire was administered to the elderly people in their homes. 86.6% of them suffered from at least one chronic illness: the average was 2.30 per person. 55.2% referred to chewing problems; 43.2% to difficulty in walking; 69.2% to sight problems; and 40.3% to hearing trouble. 59.6% had visited the general doctor at least once during the previous month. During the previous two weeks, 71.6% had taken at least one medicine prescribed by the doctor; and 21.2% had taken medicine on their own initiative.

There was coincidence between the perception of their own health status, the number of chronic complaints from which they suffered, the frequency of use of the health services and the number of drugs consumed. Women and those over 75 were those who described their own health in the most negative way.