[Centenarians in the county of Funen. Morbidity and functional capacity]

The aim was to examine the feasibility of a study of centenarians and to describe morbidity and functional capacity of centenarians in the County of Funen. A total of 51 out of 58 centenarians on Funen born on May 1, 1894 or before participated. An interview could be carried out almost completely in 80.4% of the 51 participants, cognitive testing (MMSE) in 78.4% and physical performance test (PPT) in 49%. Additional information on morbidity and activities of daily living (ADL) was collected on all 51 centenarians from family members, nursing staff, GP's, hospital registries and the National Cancer Registry. Almost 3/4 were women and 58.8% were in an old people's home. Osteoarthrosis, urinary incontinence, heart failure, dizziness and eye diseases were found to be frequently prevalent, while hypertension, diabetes, cancer and stroke were found to be rare. Based on Katz' ADL index approx. 1/3 could be considered to be independent of help, while almost everybody was dependent on help for the instrumental activities (IADL). A low average score was found at the PPT, especially the walking speed was found to be very slow. Only 32.5% scored over 23 points at the MMSE, but allowing for severe impairment of vision and hearing more than 1/3 were found to be cognitively well-functioning. Severe dementia was found among 15.7%. Dependency on help for the ADL-functions was not found to be associated with health measurement, but strongly associated with visual function, PPT and MMSE (p < 0.001). The characterization of centenarians as described in a number of foreign studies as being an homogeneous, relatively healthy and independent group could therefore not be confirmed. On the contrary, they were found to be very heterogeneous and characterized by multi-morbidity. By far the great part of them were in addition dependent on help in their activities of daily life. Approx. 1/3, however, were found to be relatively independent of help for basic functions, more than 1/3 were cognitively well-functioning, and a very small number could even manage a few outdoor functions by themselves.