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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Felicity DewhurstORCiD, Dr Matthew Dewhurst, Professor Richard Walker
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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. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Author(s): Gray WK, Dewhurst F, Dewhurst MJ, Orega G, Kissima J, Chaote P, Walker RW
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Year: 2016
Volume: 62
Pages: 36-42
Print publication date: 01/01/2016
Online publication date: 31/10/2015
Acceptance date: 22/10/2015
ISSN (print): 0167-4943
ISSN (electronic): 1872-6976
Publisher: Elsevier
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2015.10.008
DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2015.10.008
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