State of health and its association with death among old people at three-years follow-up. II. Consumption of medicine subjective and objective general health.

Five hundred eighty-five inhabitants of Copenhagen, aged 75, 80, and 85 years, were visited in their homes and asked about consumption of medicine and subjective health; in addition, a general medical examination was carried out by a physician. Taking biological aging into consideration, 34.8% of the participants were found to be of normal health. The 75 year-old men differed from the other age groups and the women by having a better subjective and objective health. A total of 74.5% of the participants claimed to be in good health. After three years and again after five years, mortality was found to be most strongly related to the number of admissions to hospital and institutionalisation. Poor subjective health was more strongly related to mortality than poor objective health, particularly after five years. Of the participants, 74.2% consumed medicine regularly. The largest intake of drugs was found among women, the oldest participants, those living in institutions, and those living alone.