Drug consumption during the last decade among persons born in 1902 in Umeå, Sweden. A longitudinal population study.

A population study of drug consumption among people born in 1902 was performed in Umeå, Sweden. The cohort was followed between 79 and 88 years of age. The number of persons in the study varied between 124 and 72. Mean consumption increased from 2.5 to 5.2 drugs per man and from 3.3 to 5.3 per woman. The main correlate of this increase was shown to be the aging individuals' greater morbidity. Cardiovascular preparations, analgesics, psychoactive substances and drugs used to alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms were the most common. At the age of 88 years, 45 to 55% of the individuals used drugs belonging to each one of these drug groups. Furthermore, during the 9 years of study there was a substantial increase in use of these drug groups except for the cardiovascular agents, of which the consumption was constant. The proportion of subjects on regular drugs increased from 82% at 79 years to 95% at 88 years of age. Benzodiazepines were, at 88 years, used by almost 40% of the population; at the same age, 43% were using laxatives and 37% diuretics. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) was the most common analgesic used. Total consumption of drugs prescribed for hypertension decreased considerably, from 23 to 10%, despite an increase in the use of loop diuretics and vasodilating agents.