ABSTRACT
Data regarding a sample of 109 centenarians are presented, living in the region of central Italy. Physical and psychosocial variables were analyzed by a questionnaire based on a multidimensional conceptualization of health. Objective and laboratory data were collected and functional capacity was complemented by clinical diagnoses and judgements as well as by self-reported health problems and functional limitations. The results reveal that people can reach their maximum life span while maintaining good levels of functional capacity in spite of the chronological age. One major aspect of functional status in upper ranges of human life span is the everyday competence in the activities of daily living (ADL). In this regard, 26.6% of centenarians are classified as having no ADL-dependency (level A: 34.6% of males and 24.0% of females); the most frequent type of dependency was in bathing (65.1%; 46.2% of males, 71.1% of females) and in continence (45.9%; 50% of males, 44.6% of females). The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) showed a mean score of 19.86 +/- 5.93 (21.04 +/- 5.33 of males; 19.49 +/- 6.10 of females). The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) mean score was 8.22 +/- 4.89 (7.60 +/- 5.05 of males, 8.40 +/- 4.87 of females).
ABSTRACT
All autopsies (n = 63) performed over the period from January 1, 1989 to December 31, 1990 on patients older than 85 years who died at the Policlinico Umberto I of Rome were reviewed retrospectively. The purpose of the study was to determine the autopsy rate, to ascertain accordance between clinical and pathological diagnoses and to clarify problems in diagnosis and complications of geriatric management in our University Hospital. The autopsy rate was 12.1%. The diagnostic error was particularly high for pulmonary embolism. In 26% of cases both the causes of death and the major clinical diagnoses were confirmed.
