William K Gray1, Felicity Dewhurst2, Matthew J Dewhurst2, Golda Orega3, John Kissima4, Paul Chaote4, Richard W Walker5. 1. Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, North Tyneside General Hospital, North Shields, UK. 2. Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, North Tyneside General Hospital, North Shields, UK; Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. 3. Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania. 4. District Medical Office, PO Box 27, Hai District Hospital, Boman'gombe, Hai, Tanzania. 5. Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, North Tyneside General Hospital, North Shields, UK; Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Electronic address: Richard.walker@nhct.nhs.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are few data on mortality rates in the general elderly living in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to detail three-year mortality rates in a population of rural community-dwelling older adults in northern Tanzania. METHODS: We performed a community-based study of 2232 people aged 70 years and over living in Hai district, Tanzania. At baseline, participants underwent clinical assessment for disability, neurological disorders, hypertension, atrial fibrillation and memory problems. At three-year follow-up mortality data were collected. Mortality rates were compared to UK estimates. RESULTS: At follow-up, data were available for 1873 subjects (83.9%). Of those, 208 (11.1%, 95% CI 9.7-12.5) had died. The age-standardised mortality rate was 10.2% (95% CI 8.8-11.6). Age-standardised mortality rates were lower than estimated for the UK (13.9%). In Cox regression analysis, greater age, higher levels of functional disability, use of a walking aid, subjective report of memory problems, being severely underweight and being normotensive were significant predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Those who survive to old age in Tanzania appear to have relatively low mortality rates. Physical and cognitive disabilities were strongly associated with mortality risk in this elderly community-dwelling population. The association between blood pressure and mortality merits further study.
BACKGROUND: There are few data on mortality rates in the general elderly living in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to detail three-year mortality rates in a population of rural community-dwelling older adults in northern Tanzania. METHODS: We performed a community-based study of 2232 people aged 70 years and over living in Hai district, Tanzania. At baseline, participants underwent clinical assessment for disability, neurological disorders, hypertension, atrial fibrillation and memory problems. At three-year follow-up mortality data were collected. Mortality rates were compared to UK estimates. RESULTS: At follow-up, data were available for 1873 subjects (83.9%). Of those, 208 (11.1%, 95% CI 9.7-12.5) had died. The age-standardised mortality rate was 10.2% (95% CI 8.8-11.6). Age-standardised mortality rates were lower than estimated for the UK (13.9%). In Cox regression analysis, greater age, higher levels of functional disability, use of a walking aid, subjective report of memory problems, being severely underweight and being normotensive were significant predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Those who survive to old age in Tanzania appear to have relatively low mortality rates. Physical and cognitive disabilities were strongly associated with mortality risk in this elderly community-dwelling population. The association between blood pressure and mortality merits further study.
Authors: Fiona Cooper; Emma Grace Lewis; Sarah Urasa; Louise Whitton; Harry Collin; Selina Coles; Greta Karen Wood; Ali Mohamed Ali; Deborah Mdegella; Joyce Mkodo; Francis Zerd; Catherine Dotchin; William K Gray; Richard W Walker Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2022-10-06 Impact factor: 6.591
Authors: Harry W I Putnam; Rebecca Jones; Jane Rogathi; William K Gray; Bernadetha Swai; Matthew Dewhurst; Felicity Dewhurst; Richard W Walker Journal: J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) Date: 2018-02-15 Impact factor: 3.738
Authors: Rebecca Jones; Harry W I Putnam; Heiko Philippin; Charles Cleland; David H Steel; William K Gray; Joanna E Klaptocz; Bernadetha Swai; Richard W Walker Journal: J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) Date: 2018-07-19 Impact factor: 3.738