Mortality risks in the elderly: five-year follow-up of a total population.

The health and social status was assessed by interview for all people aged 75 years and over, living in and around Melton Mowbray. This initial survey took place in 1981 and five years later, data are now available on the mortality status of the original survey population. Significantly lower survival rates were found for various subgroups including those respondents who perceived their health poor, those with high disability scores and severe cognitive impairment and those taking hypoglycaemic agents and diuretics.