State of health and its association with death among old people at three-years follow-up. I. Lung function, circulation, sensory and motor apparatus.

A general medical examination was performed of 569 Copenhagen inhabitants aged 75, 80, and 85 years in the participants' own homes as part of an epidemiological, sociomedical intervention study. The present report contains the results of this examination regarding lung function, circulation, sensory, and motor apparatus. Curves are presented expressing the normal peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) for men and women 75-85 years old. More men than women had a compromised lung function. Regarding circulation and motor apparatus, more women and 85-year-olds showed impairments. Functional vision and hearing declined with age, but no significant differences could be demonstrated between men and women, although a preponderance of women tended to show hearing disability. Institutionalised participants were more inclined to have impairment of lung function and sight and to walk with difficult. Gait disturbances and impairment of vision were the objective health measurements most strongly related to death at follow-up after three years.