The prevalence of long-term illness among the elderly in a general practice.

A retrospective study was performed to assess the prevalence of long-term illness in all patients aged 65 years and over in the practice of one family physician. Of 191 patients (10,6% of the practice population), 87% suffered from at least one illness and the mean prevalence rates were 2 129 diagnoses per 1 000 males and 1 955 for females. Fifty-eight per cent of the women and 14% of the men were widowed. The prevalence rates of 16 diagnostic categories are presented and compared with their prevalence among the general population. The findings are discussed with reference to the need for functional assessment and for prevention or relief of disability, so as to enable the individual to remain reasonably independent. The implications are discussed in relation to the need for the family physician to undertake increased responsibility for the comprehensive medical care of the elderly.