A health survey of the very aged in Tampere, Finland.

The population aged 85 years or over (n = 674) living in Tampere, Finland, was surveyed in 1977-78. Altogether, 561 persons (83%)--99 men and 462 women--were examined. The study comprised questionnaire, medical examination, laboratory tests, ECG and chest X-ray examination. Of the subjects, 24% were hospitalized, 22% were in old people's homes and 54% lived at home. The most common symptoms were aches and pains (24%), vertigo (22%), defective vision (15%) and defective hearing (12%). Congestive heart failure (49%), dementia or confusional state (28%) and urinary tract infection (22%) were the most common diseases.