Survey on the prevalence of common chronic diseases in the elderly in rural and urban areas of Shanghai / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the prevalence and the distribution of several chronic diseases which affect the life quality and the health of the Shanghai elderly people. Methods Stratified cluster sampling method was used in the survey of the prevalence rate of several common chronic diseases (self reported) in 12 590 residents ≥60 years of age in 22 urban and 14 rural communities in Shanghai. Results The total prevalence rate of several chronic diseases in the elderly is 60 3%, with male being 59 4% and female being 61 9%. The total prevalence rate in the urban elderly was 66 5%, significantly higher than that of the rural elderly(53 9%). In urban areas, female's prevalence was higher than the males. While in rural area no difference between male and female was observed. In urban areas, the prevalence from high to low stood hypertension(33 6%), cataract(18 3%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)(11 9%), coronary heart disease(9 1%), other heart diseases(7 9%), diabetes mellitus(5 9%). In rural areas, the prevalence from high to low stood hypertension (20 9%), COPD(15 2%), cataract(7 0%), deafness(5 7%), other heart diseases(4 3%), osteoideformed or osteoporosis(4 2%). Conclusions The distribution and the status of the chronic diseases in rural areas are significantly different from that of urban areas. We should carry out different strategies according to different conditions for enhancing the health and life quality of the elderly.