Quality of the Last Year of Life of Older Adults: 1986 vs 1993

Article Abstract:

The quality of life for many elderly people during their last year of life has improved. Researchers analyzed reports from next of kin on the last year of life of 9,179 elderly people in 1986 and 6,735 elderly people in 1993. Both women and men used no more health care services in 1993 than in 1986 and women actually used fewer services in 1993. This was true even in those 85 years or older. In women aged 65 to 84, the number with impairments in at least 2 activities of daily living increased.

Statistical Data Included, Analysis

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The relative effects of left ventricular hypertrophy, coronary artery disease, and ventricular dysfunction on survival among black adults

Article Abstract:

A higher incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) may account for higher mortality rates from coronary artery disease (CAD) among blacks. LVH is an enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart. Fifty percent of 1,089 black patients who received M-mode echocardiography and coronary angiography to diagnose CAD had LVH. About 80% were also hypertensive. LVH was associated with a higher death rate even in patients with no CAD. Those with LVH were more than twice as likely to die from heart disease. Patients with LVH and coronary artery disease that affected several arteries had higher death rates than those with multi-vessel disease and no LVH. During the five-year follow-up, 242 patients died, 67% of them from heart disease.

Patient outcomes, Mortality, Risk factors, African Americans, Coronary heart disease, Heart enlargement, Heart hypertrophy

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Black-white differences in disability and morbidity in the last years of life

Article Abstract:

Black-white differences in morbidity and disability have been evaluated for the later years of life. Data from the National Health Interview Survey, 1986-94, were analyzed with mortality follow-up through 12/95 for 10,187 people older than 49. Education level was inversely associated with disability/morbidity indices for both groups. Black decedents had more morbidity, consistent across educational levels. Adjustment for education dropped the black-white difference in limitation-of-activity scores by 32%, hospital-stay days by 40% and bed days by 59%. Black decedents experienced more disability/morbidity in the last months or years, and their quality of life was not as good as that of whites.

United States, Usage, Statistics, Demographic aspects, Education, Disability evaluation, Social classes, Social class, Whites, Cohort analysis, Medical statistics, African American aged, African American elderly

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