Health Concerns in Elderly:A Survey and Public Education in Bhubaneswar, India

Background: While it is apparent that old age is associated with multiple health concerns the extent of its multiplicity suggestive of the burden is often not clear. It was intended to find out self-reported health concerns for the duration of one month and cardiovascular risk factors in older adults.

Method: In a cross-sectional survey attendees of a Healthy Ageing Conference were approached with a semi-structured questionnaire about their health concerns and cardiovascular risks. Risk of cardiovascular event in 10 years based on QRISK3 was calculated.

Results: A considerable proportion of elderly had range of physical symptoms, depressive mood state and memory problems. Mean number of health problems reported were 4.8±3.3 (male 4.4±3.1 and female 5.0±4.3). Cardiovascular risk was high, mean QRISK3 score for males were 22.2% (±14.4) and for females 10.3% (±6.6) (p<0.05). On an average the heart age was increased by 7.9±6.2 years (8.6±6.6 years for males and 5.0±3.3 for females). The relative risk was 2.1 for males and 1.5 for females. The symptoms and risk factors were elicited easily and the process probably facilitated improving the awareness about the health concerns holistically.

Conclusions: The results suggested the extent of health concerns in general and cardiovascular risks in particular and may help to reflect about required range of appropriate public health awareness and intervention programmes in the community.