These aren't true antecedents of longevity, but offer insight into perhaps which aspects of quality of life issues are most highly prevalent in centenarians vs. younger controls. That's about as good a correlation as other observational studies anyhow.
http://ageing.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/27/2/207.pdfAge and Ageing 1998; 27: 207-216
Quality of life and longevity: a study of centenarians
MARIROSA DELLO BUONO, ORNELLA URCIUOU, DIEGO DE LEO
Psychogeriatric Service, University of Padua, Via Vendramini 7, 35137 Padua, and Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Brescia, Italy
Address correspondence to M. Dello Buono. Fax: (+39) 49 8216264
Abstract
Objective:
interest in centenarians has focused on two particular aspects: the antecedents of extreme old age and the psychophysical well-being of the very old. Our study deals with the latter aspect and aims to assess the quality of life of Italian centenarians.
Method:
using data collected using two questionnaires designed to investigate quality of life in elderly people, three groups of 38 elderly subjects were compared: centenarians and subjects aged between 75 and 85 years and 86 and 99 years.
Results:
the centenarians complained less spontaneously about their health (maintained in part by medical treatments), but declared having greater functional disability. Their cognitive function appears to be reasonably well preserved and they have lower scores for anxiety and depression than the subjects in the two younger groups. They consider themselves religious, satisfied with their financial situation but no longer interested in sex or involved in recreational activities. They report greater satisfaction with life and with social and family relations than do less elderly individuals.Conclusions: the centenarians we interviewed seem to be well adapted to their lives and to maintain a more positive attitude than the subjects in the two younger groups.Keywords: adaptation, centenarians, quality of life, religion, sex
Introduction
The number of Italian centenarians increased from 49 in 1921 to 1660 in 1990 [1]. Census data for 1993 are currently being processed but according to preliminary
data some 6000 centenarians were alive in Italy on 31 December 1993 [2]. Recently, several centres have joined the Italian Multicentre Study on Centenarians,
which aims to assess the clinical and biological condition of centenarians. Preliminary results have highlighted a number of characteristics peculiar to
centenarians: they
often have a family history of longevity, live in comfortable, family environments, have been hard workers and possess well-preserved
psychological and cognitive abilities. They are free from certain risk factors (such as hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and symptomatic hyperglycaemia)
and have always followed a balanced diet, based on natural foods. Their immune systems continue to function well and natural killer cells are particularly
active [2, 3]-
International research into centenarians includes work on demographic and dietary characteristics, in addition to examining genetic/biological, neurological
and neuropathological aspects of this age group and their life style and methods of coping [4-13]. Most research is therefore on the antecedents of extremely
long life [14] and psychophysical well-being in old age[15]. The aim of our study was to investigate the quality of life in centenarians in the Veneto region of Italy, based on the concept that long life should be examined not only quantitatively, but also in qualitative terms. At present we have access only to records from the town
of Padua and some other places coming under local health unit ULSS 13 (S. Maria di Sala, Noale, Spinea, Scorze, Martellago, Mirano) but our research will
become more widespread as we receive data from other local health units.
Materials and methods
The study was conducted between October 1992 and July 1995. Personal records were supplied by the data processing centre of the municipalities of Padua and Pordenone together with other record offices coming under local health unit ULSS 13. With the lists provided, 207 M. Dello Buono et al. we were able to gain access to the names of 57 people aged 100 years or more, 42 of •whom were resident in Padua, six in Pordenone and the remaining nine in the other municipalities of the health unit. Of the 42 residents in Padua who were able to participate in the study, the selected test package on the quality of life was only administered to 27 subjects: two refused to take part, two were too physically disabled, two had transferred to another municipality, one was not to be found at the indicated address and the remaining
subjects (seven women and one man) had died by the time of recruitment. Four of the six subjects from Pordenone were tested. Of the other two, one refused to take part while the other was too physically unfit to undertake the test. Only seven of the remaining nine residents from the other six municipalities were interviewed, as one was in poor physical health and the other could not be contacted. The total
number of subjects tested was therefore 38, including the 11 interviewed subjects who were not resident in Padua.
The questionnaires used were the Profile of Elderly Quality of life (PEQOL), which has been used in other studies [16, 17] and the LEIPAD quality of life
assessment instrument developed to measure self-perceived functioning and well-being in elderly people [18]. (The three universities principally involved in the World Health Organisation European study that developed the LEIPAD instrument were
Leiden, Padua and Helsinki: the instrument's name is a combination of 'Leiden' and 'Padua'.)
The PEQOL questionnaire, which takes the form of a test battery, explores various dimensions of quality of life—physical health, cognitive capacities, psychological
symptoms, basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL and IADL), sleeping patterns, social support, religiousness and sexual relations—which form a 'profile' of the quality of life in elderly subjects(see Appendix 1). This questionnaire had previously been administered by means of door-to-door interviews to 462 subjects aged 75 years and older, chosen at random from the electoral rolls (1:10) of Padua and
Brescia [16]. The instrument can be administered by non-specialized personnel after a brief training period and is relatively quick to administer (taking roughly 30
min). The instrument has good psychometric properties, being partly based on scales which have been thoroughly validated.
The LEIPAD questionnaire provides additional self-reported information. Created with a view to studying quality of life in elderly patients in primary health care,
it examines subjective views of physical and mental health, sexual relations, emotional status, level of self-esteem, expectations for the future, ADL, social and
recreational activities and financial situation. It also considers the cognitive status of the subject being tested in order to assess the reliability of the self-evaluation.
The instrument consists of 49 items, 31 of which can be grouped into seven 'core instrument scales'. Other items measure self-perceived personality disorders and social desirability, self-esteem, anger and faith in God. These 18 items can be grouped into a further five scales, referred to as 'moderator scales' (see
Appendix 2). Each item in the instrument assesses responses along a scale of 0 (best condition) to 3(worst condition). Some items of the 'moderator scales' have dichotomic answers so their score is 0 or 1. This paper reports the scores achieved on the core instrument scales and religiousness scale, since the other scales do not contain items comparable with PEQOL ones. The 38 centenarians tested to date were interviewed in their own homes or institution. From the group of elderly people tested in previous studies in Padua, 76 subjects were chosen by random stratification (one in every five, from an alphabetical list), 38 aged between 75 and 85 and 38 between 86 and 99- These constituted the control groups with which we compared our sample of centenarians. The sociodemographic characteristics of the centenarians and
the other two groups included in our study are reported in Table 1. The three groups were comparable with regard to gender and educational level. Of the 38 centenarians, 24 (19 women and five men) lived at home; the remaining 14 lived in institutions (13
women and one man).
The statistical procedures used were Student's West, X2 analysis, ANOVA and ANCOVA variance and Table I. Socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects
No. of subjects
Men
Women
Mean age (years)
Schooling (years)
Age group (years)
75-85 86-99
38
6 (15.79%)
32 (84.21%)
79.24 ± 2.53
5.15 ± 2.30
38
6 (15.79%)
32 (84.21%)
88.44 ± 3.51
4.21 ± 3.07
>100
38
6 (15.79%)
32 (84.21%)
101.13 ± 1.52
4.81 ± 368
All
114
18 (15.79%)
93 (84.21%)
8978 ± 929
4.72 ± 3.07
Differences in mean years of schooling between the three groups: F = 0.92, P = not significant.
208
Quality of life and longevity covariance analysis. The results were processed by
means of SYSTAT statistical software [19].
Results
The package took longer to administer to the centenarians (the mean time taken was 44.0 ± 36.77 min, range 18-70, as opposed to 30± 21.21 min, range 15-30 in younger subjects) and was in no case self-administered, as the subjects frequently
had poor eyesight or their writing skills were not sufficient to allow them to fill in their answers.
Whenever it seemed advisable, relatives were asked to help by explaining the questions and generally creating a more relaxed atmosphere during testing.
Description of the results has been divided into two main sections: the first assesses the data relating to self-sufficiency and the second to psychological well-being and cognitive performance.
Self-sufficiency
Table 2 presents the results obtained after administration of the IADL [20] and ADL [21] scales and those obtained from the PEQOL scale for physical status,
comprising \6ad hoc items to investigate the presence
of pain, discomfort, functional disability (see Appendix
1). Table 3 shows the results from the LELPAD physical
health scale.
Since the subjects aged between 75 and 85 years had
on average 1 year's schooling more than the other two
age groups, we decided to verify whether omitting this
variable would modify the results. By using ANCOVA
covariance analysis we excluded the possibility of such
an effect for the variables considered. Variables which
were not significantly different were also controlled for
schooling; none of the results were significantly
different.
The centenarians reported a mean number of lost
functions on the IADL scale exceeding the numbers
reported by both the 86 - 99-year-old group and the 7 5 -
85-year-old group. Comparison of adjusted values after
ANCOVA did not modify these results. A similar result
was obtained with the ADL scales, even after ANCOVA
for schooling. (Table 2).
On the IADL scales, 50% of the centenarians
interviewed (n = 19) reported eight lost functions,
thus indicating that these subjects depend on others
for basic daily living requisites such as shopping,
money matters, use of medicines and the telephone.
According to the results from the ADL scales on ability
to wash, dress and move about unaided and incontinence,
only 18% (n = 7) were completely dependent.
The centenarians and those in the 86-99-year-old
group spontaneously complained of an average of only
one painful symptom compared with an average of
almost two such symptoms in the youngest group.
After allowing for educational level, the results do not
change (Table 2). The three groups did not, however,
differ significantly in evoked painful symptoms. This
applied even after ANCOVA for schooling (Table 2). On
the question on disability, the centenarians and elderly
people from the intermediate age group had significantly
higher scores than the younger subjects.
The centenarians' mean for spontaneously reported
lost function was not significantly different from those
reported by the subjects from the other two groups;
after ANCOVA the result was similar (Table 2). The
intermediate age group reported a greater mean
number of lost functions evoked by the interviewer
compared with the number reported by the centenarians
and youngest age group; after ANCOVA for
schooling the result did not change (Table 2).
Table 2. Mean points on the Profile of Elderly Quality of life scales scored by the three groups
Scale
IADLa
ADLb
Pain/discomfort lc
Pain/discomfort 2
Function 1
Function 2d
Weakness"
Age group (years)
75-85
0.63 ± 102
5.57 ± 1.150
1.84 ± 1.620
1.50 ± 1.60
1.31 ± 1.47
1.63 ± 1.63
4.81 ± 5.36
86-99
4.10 ± 2.50
7.47 ± 1.78
0.92 ± 1.23
1.47 ± 1.68
1.23 ± 1.26
2.44 ± 1.46
8.97 ± 5.67
>100
6.86 ± 1.51
13.23 ± 3.29
1.13 ± 1.52
1.86 ± 1.85
0.78 ± 1.06
2.36 ± 1.90
10.26 ± 6.43
F
116.12
118.21
3.83
0.98
1.87
2.72
9.02
P
<0.000
<0.000
<0.02
NS
NS
<0.06
<0.000
IADL, instrumental activities of daily living; ADL, activities of daily living; NS, not significant.
"After ANCOVA for schooling: F = 87.33, P < 0.000.
"After ANCOVA for schooling: F= 145.88, P < 0.000.
cAfter ANCOVA for schooling: F= 302, P < 0.05.
"After ANCOVA for schooling: F = 2.70, P < 0.06.
cAfter ANCOVA for schooling: F = 914, P < 0.000.
209
M. Dello Buono et al.
Table 3. Mean points on the LEIPAD scales in the three groups
Scale
Physical function*
Self careb
Cognitive function0
Depression and anxiety
Social function
Sexual functiond
Recreational activities iteme
Economic satisfaction itemf
Life satisfaction8
Faith in Godh
Age group (years)
75-85
6.47 ± 319
2.27 ± 3-71
4.19 ± 2.44
2.19 ± 3.48
4.10 ± 1.76
4.91 ± 1.60
1.32 ± 0.85
1.02 ± 0.63
7.73 ± 3.89
1.43 ± 0.64
86-99
7.05 ± 2.44
7.65 ± 3.87
4.23 ± 2.64
2.18 ± 2.19
368 ± 2.11
5.89 ± 0.64
1.21 ± 0.77
1.49 ± 0.86
5.68 ± 3.05
1.68 ± 0.52
>100
7.27 ± 2.11
14.13 ± 3.75
5.48 ± 2.86
2.34 ± 2.58
3.42 ± 1.61
6.00 ± 0.00
1.91 ± 0.81
0.90 ± 0.52
4.97 ± 2.44
1.75 ± 0.52
F
0.92
89.96
1.90
1.61
1.82
12.37
3.83
5.27
7.20
3.09
P
NS
<0.00
<0.05
NS
NS
<0.00
<0.03
<0.000
<0.000
<0.05
NS, not significant
'After ANCOVA for schooling: F=
"After ANCOVA for schooling: FcAfter
ANCOVA for schooling: F=
"After ANCOVA for schooling: F-
"After ANCOVA for schooling: FfAfter
ANCOVA for schooling: F=
gAfter ANCOVA for schooling: F=
• 88.92, P< 0.000.
= 1.98, P< 0.05.
= 11.37,/>< 0.000.
= 3.90, P< 0.03.
• 4.20, P< 0.02.
5.94, P < 0.000.
= 312, P< 0.05.
The most impaired functions were hearing, eyesight
and walking (especially in institutionalized subjects).
Incontinence was also a common problem, as were
cardiovascular disorders and decreased memory and
cognitive performance. All subjects took at least one
drug and some took as many as 15 different types.
As regards the LEIPAD questionnaire, comparative
analysis of this aspect of the study—which also
confirmed the findings of the PEQOL—can be
performed for the scores obtained by the three
groups for the physical functions and self-care scales.
In the former scale, the scores tend not to differ
significantly, whereas in the latter scale the three
groups differ significantly, with greater impairment
being reported especially by the centenarians (Table 3).
Psychological well-being and cognitive performance
Table 4 presents the scores obtained on the Brief
Symptom Inventory [22] and on the Mini Mental State
Examination (MMSE) [23].
There were no differences between the three groups
in any of the Brief Symptom Inventory subscales for
depression and anxiety of the PEQOL (Table 4) and the
LEIPAD depression and anxiety scales (Table 3).
Comparison of the mean scores obtained in the
MMSE [23] showed that they differed significantly from
group to group, even after covariance for educational
level, with a trend inversely proportional to increasing
age (Table 4).
The LEIPAD cognitive function scale is relatively
coherent with the mean MMSE scores, which are
inversely proportional to increase in age. The three
groups differ and the centenarians appear to be aware
of greater limitations in their function (Table 4).
However, the administration of the MMSE revealed
that some items inappropriately influence the final
overall score, since physical impairment (sight deficits
or arthritis preventing the subject from using a pen)
makes it practically impossible for subjects to complete
the final part of the questionnaire, requiring subjects to
do a reading test, complete an order, write a sentence
and copy a drawing. Consequently, the maximum
score subjects can achieve, even if they are lucid and
oriented but suffer from physical impairment, is 22/30.
On the basis of this rationale, we have admitted to our
study centenarians with a score of between 8 and 27
out of 30, where they are able to answer questions put
to them, with a relation present to confirm the validity
of the answers.
The total score for the items relating to PEQOL sleep
patterns showed that greater problems were experienced
in the intermediate group, who reported more
sleep disorders than those aged 75-85 years and those
aged 100 years or older (Table 4). The same finding
cannot be compared with LEIPAD, as the scales in this
questionnaire do not include specific questions on this
aspect.
The three groups appeared to differ significantly in
Surtees' [24] social support scale included in the
PEQOL, reporting scores between 4 and 7, the lowest
of which (indicating that the subject perceived better
social support) was in centenarians and the 86-99-
year-old group (Table 4). On the LEIPAD social
functions scale, the oldest subjects reported greatest
210Quality of life and longevity
Table 4. Mean points on the Profile of Elderly Quality of life scales in the three groups
Scale
MMSE*
BSI
Depression
Anxiety
Sleep patterns'5
Social support0
Recreational activities'1
Interest in sexc
Economic statusf
Religiousness8
Age group (years)
75-85
26.07 ± 2.63
0.54 ± 0.44
0.51 ± 0.42
6.31 ± 6.01
7.50 ± 3.63
1.92 ± 1.21
1.81 ± 0.76
6.76 ± 3.21
2.73 ± 1.67
86-99
21.97 ± 2.38
0.75 ± 0.55
0.74 ± 0.64
8.07 ± 5.84
4.68 ± 3.10
0.60 ± 1.79
0.84 ± 1.06
10.42 ± 2.15
3-68 ± 1.64
S100
13-32 ± 6.66
0.64 ± 0.79
0.57 ± 0.78
4.84 ± 4.85
4.89 ± 2.59
0.13 ± 0.34
0.00 ± 0.00
7.94 ± 3.95
5.21 ± 3.04
F
84.86
1.12
1.30
4.01
9.49
20.35
13.52
1308
12.03
P
<0.000
NS
NS
<0.000
<0.000
<0.000
<0.000
<0.000
<0.000
MMSE, Mini Mental State Examination; BSI, Brief Symptom Inventory; NS, not significant.
'After ANCOVA for schooling: F = 79.91, P < 0.000.
bAfter ANCOVA for schooling: F= 4.00, P < 0.000.
cAfter ANCOVA for schooling: F= 929, P < 0.000.
"After ANCOVA for schooling: F= 20.40, P < 0.000.
cAfter ANCOVA for schooling: F= 14.89, P < 0.000.
'After ANCOVA for schooling. F= 13.97, P < 0.000.
"After ANCOVA for schooling: F = 11.09, P < 0.000.
satisfaction with their social relations and friendships,
although the difference in score was not statistically
significant (Table 3)-
Recreational activities were not maintained by the
centenarians, with the exception of four cases. Hence
they differ significantly from the components of the
younger age groups, who reported continuing such
activities, albeit to a diminished extent, even after
ANCOVA for schooling (Table 4). The LEIPAD life
satisfaction scale includes a question on hobbies and
recreational activities. Similar findings emerged for
this item to the PEQOL one on recreational activities
(Table 3). Moreover,
on the LEIPAD life satisfaction
scale an interesting difference emerges between the
three age groups: the mean scores are inversely
proportional to increase in age, suggesting that
subjects who report less satisfaction belong to the
youngest age group (75-85 years of age). The
difference appears to be statistically significant, and
even after ANCOVA for educational level the results
remained unchanged (Table 3).
Scores on the scale of economic status differed
significantly from group to group: the subjects in all the
age groups reported
scores indicating overall satisfaction
with their financial circumstances, but older
subjects and centenarians generally indicated being
more satisfied than the younger age groups. ANCOVA
for educational level did not modify these findings
(Table 4). The same result was found for the item in
LEIPAD on satisfaction with financial circumstances,
even after ANCOVA for schooling (Table 3).
We investigated the subjects' interest in sex. The
mean scores obtained by the three groups differed
significantly (Table 4): while the subjects in the two
lower age groups reported some interest, albeit
diminished in the case of those aged 86-99 years,
every centenarian affirmed that they had lost all
interest in sex. ANCOVA for educational level did not
modify these findings, showing that this variable had
no influence on the result (Table 4). The same result
was found in relation to the LEIPAD sexual functioning
scale, even after ANCOVA for schooling (Table 3).
Compared with the other two groups, the
centenarians
reported finding greater comfort from their faith
and that their interest in religion had increased over the
previous year. The result was confirmed even after
removal of the age and schooling variables by ANCOVA
(Table 4). Similar result for the religious faith of the
centenarians was found on the LEIPAD religiousness
scale, even after ANCOVA (Table 3).
Discussion
People who live to 100 or older represent a select
group, considering that only one person in 7000-
10000 reaches this age [25]. The limited sample of our
study does not permit generalized conclusions,
although we incorporated the entire population of
the town of Padua, the municipality of Pordenone and
six other municipalities in the Veneto region.
Our data confirm Lehr's finding that there is great
variability among extremely old individuals [15], with
varying levels of functional activity, cognitive activity
211 M. Dello Buono et al.
and memory. On MMSE scores, the degree of impairment
in centenarians compared with the lower age
groups confirms data on the increased prevalence of
dementia with advancing age [26, 27]. The centenarians
in our study were able to answer the questions
put to them but had difficulties in performing the
MMSE items requiring ability to read or write.
Consequently, these items have been omitted from
the most recent brief version of the questionnaire.
Furthermore, centenarians' answers were compared
with the opinion of a relative or the principal caregiver,
who was also present during the test, both to help the
interviewee feel more secure and reassured and to
confirm the responses given or report otherwise.
Individuals who reach great age depend almost
entirely upon other people. Only one person we
interviewed was still able to live alone and was selfsufficient
in most ADL. The mean number of functions(ADL and IADL) lost by these subjects is higher than the number lost by the less elderly; moreover, the scores of
the latter indicate a trend which is directly proportional
to increase in age.
Despite reporting poorer
functional ability, the centenarians complained less of
pain and discomfort than their younger, functionally
less impaired counterparts. This suggests greater
adaptation to the inevitable loss of functioning which
gradually impedes agility with advancing age. Such
adaptability might be an inborn characteristic of those
who succeed in living very long lives, insofar as they
progressively adjust their lifestyles and accept their
condition as the physiological norm. Furthermore,
these very old people tend to complain less about
their living conditions. On the LEIPAD life satisfaction
scale, they score higher than the less elderly groups.
This supports the hypothesis of the role played by
progressive adjustment and positive attitude to life[2, 28].
It transpires that
the most well-preserved people are
those who remain intellectually stimulated, those who
still maintain satisfactory social relationships and, in
particular, can count on the help of the family or other
caregivers, and those who have spent years working in
crafts requiring creative skills or who have kept their
interests alive. These findings corroborate the results of
other Italian studies [2] and international research
work [29-31].Most subjects reported poor eyesight and hearing,
which may be one of the reasons why only a few of
them still keep up recreational activities. Some
centenarians complain of motor deficits and urinary
incontinence. Despite this, few subjects presented
symptoms of depression (three subjects) or anxiety
(four subjects) on the Brief Symptom Inventory scale,
in addition to reporting fewer sleep problems than
their younger counterparts.Very old people attach importance to religious faith
[32]: the centenarians interviewed found greater
solace in faith than the less elderly groups.
Generally speaking, despite their precarious equilibrium,
the old people tested by us had adapted to their
circumstances. They were often aided by their families
or by people in the institutions where they lived.
Predictors of long life include: continuing to play a
role in society, keeping in good physical shape, taking
preventive measures against serious disease, looking
on the bright side of life, being intellectually stimulated,
believing that happiness can be achieved, having
financial security, having a good life expectation and
maintaining satisfactory social relationships [33, 34].
Increasing our sample size might allow us to verify
possible adaptive mechanisms highlighted by this
study. Longitudinal studies will permit assessment of
the adaptations made by extremely old people which
might be useful in revealing the secrets of long life.
Key points
• When 38 centenarians were compared with groups
of subjects aged 75-85 and 86-99 years using two
questionnaires for assessing quality of life in elderly
people, the centenarians were less inclined to
complain about their physical condition and,
despite greater functional disability, were no more
subject to depression or anxiety than the younger
groups.
• The centenarians have well-preserved cognitive
function and a good level of social support, find
solace in religious faith and are satisfied with their
financial situation. They are no longer interested in
sex (in contrast to those aged 86-99 years) and
rarely practice recreational activities, but report
greater satisfaction with life than less elderly
subjects.
• Those who reach 100 years of age adapt to
circumstances and have a positive attitude to life
and good social and family relations.References
1. Antonini FM, Mannucci M. La longevita in Italia. Aggiornamento
Medico 1992; 16: 455-66.
2. Receputo G, Rapisarda R, Motta L, Centenarians: health
status and life conditions. Ann Ital Med Int 1995; 10: 41-5.
3. Franceschi C, Monti D, Sansoni P, Cossarizza A. The
immunology of exceptional individuals: the lesson of
centenarians. Immunol Today 1995; 16: 12-6.
4. Zelterman D. A statistical distribution with an unbounded
hazard function and its application to a theory from
demography. Biometrics 1992; 48: 807-18.
5. Houston DK, Johnson MA, Poon LW, Clayton GM.
Individual foods and food group patterns of the oldest old. J
Nutr Elderly 1994; 13: 5-23.
6. Schachter F, Faure-Delanef L, Genenot F et al. Genetic
association with human longevity at the APOE and ACE loci.
Nature Genet 1994; 6: 29-32.
212
Quality of life and longevity
7. Louhija J, Miettinen HE, Koutula K et al. Aging and genetic
variation of plasma apolipoprotcins. Relative loss of the
apolipoprotein E4 phenotype in centenarians. Arterioscl
Thromb 1994; 14: 1084-9.
8. Nichols ME, Meador KJ, Loring DV et al Age-related
changes in the neurologic examination of healthy sexagenarians,
octogenarians and centenarians. J Geriatr Psychiatr
Neurol 1994; 7: 1-7.
9. Giannakopoulos P, Hof PR, Mottier S et al. Neuropathological
changes in the cerebral cortex of 1258 cases from a
geriatric hospital: retrospective clinicopathological evaluation
of a 10-year autopsy population. Acta Neuropathol Berlin
1994; 87: 456-68.
10. Webb R, Williams LM. Centenarian hand syndrome
(letter). N Engl J Med 1985; 313: 188.
11. Wallace JB. Reconsidering the life review: the social
construction of talk about the past. Gerontologist 1992; 32:
120-5.
12. Martin P, Poon LW, Clayton GM et aL Personality life
events and coping in the oldest-old, hit J Aging Hum Dev
1992; 34: 19-30.
13. Clayton GM, Dudley WN, Patterson TO et al The
influence of rural/urban residence on health in the oldest-old.
Int J Aging Hum Dev 1994; 38: 65-89.
14. Poon LW, Martin P, Clayton GM et aL The influences of
cognitive resources on adaptation and old age. Int J Aging
Hum Dev 1992; 34: 31-46.
15. Lehr U. Centenarian—a contribution to longevity
research J Gerontol 1991; 24: 227-32.
16. De Leo D, Frisoni GB, Rozzini R etal The profile of elderly
quality of life (PEQOL): a quick package to assess general health
conditions in old age. 5th Congress of the International
Psychogeriatric Association, Roma, August 1991.
17. Frisoni GB, De Leo D, Rozzini R, Bernardini M, Dello
Buono M, Trabucchi M. Psychic correlates of sleep symptoms
in the elderly. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 1992; 7: 891-8.
18. DeLeoD, DiekstraRFW, CleirenJPHDerai Quality of life
assessment-instrument to measure self-perceived functioning
and well-being in the elderly (LETPAD Project). Copenhagen,
Denmark: WHO Regional Office for Europe, 1994.
19. Wilkinson L. SYSTAT: the System for Statistics. Evanstone,
IL: SYSTAT Inc, 1989-
20. Lawton MP, Brody EM. Assessment of older people: selfmaintaining
and instrumental activities of daily living.
Gerontologist 1969; 9: 179-86.
21. Katz S, Ford AB, Moskowitz RWetal. The index of ADL: a
standardized measure of biological and psychosocial function.
JAMA 1963; 185: 914-9.
22. Derogatis LR, Melisaratos N. The Brief Symptom Inventory:
an introductory report. Psychol Med 1983; 13: 595-
605.
23. Folstein FM, Folstein SE, Mettugh PR. Mini Mental State.
A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients
for the clinicians. J Psychiatr Res 1975; 12: 189-98.
24. Surtees PG. Social support, residual adversity and
depressive outcome. Soc Psychiatr 1980; 15: 71-80.
25. Franceschi C, Monti D, Cossarizza A et aL Aging,
longevity and cancer: studies in Down's syndrome and
centenarians. Ann NYAcad Sci 1992; 640: 428-40.
26. Johannson B. Neuropsychological assessment in the
oldest old. Int Psychogeriatrics 1991; 3: 51-60.
27. Powell AL. Senile dementia of extreme aging: a common
disorder of centenarians. Dementia 1994; 5: 106-9.
28. Mazzantini C. I dati della multicentrica del CNR sui
grandi vecchi. Vicini al segreto degli 'over 100'. Corriere
Medico 1995; 10: 8-9.
29. Poon LW, Clayton GM, Martin P et al. The Georgia
Centenarian Study. Int J Aging Hum Dev 1992; 34: 1 -17.
30. Zheng ZX, Wang ZS, Zhu HM et aL Survey of 160
centenarians in Shanghai. Age Ageing 1993; 22: 16-9.
31. Regius O, Beregi E, Klinger A. Extended family,
immediate family and caregiver contacts of 100-year-old
patients in Hungary. Z Gerontol 1994; 27: 456-8.
32. Courtenay BC, Poon LW, Martin P et aL Religiosity and
adaptation in the oldest-old. Int J Aging Hum Dev 1992; 34:
47-56.
33- Palmore E. Physical, mental and social factors in
predicting longevity, Gerontologist 1969; 9: 103-8.
34. Thomae H. Theory of aging and cognitive theory of
personality. Proceedings of the 8th International Congress of
Gerontology, Washington DC, USA, 1969; 1: 7-10.
Received 19 February 1997
Appendix I. Profile of the Elderly Quality of Life
1. Physical symptom scale
System/function Pain/discomfort Functioning11 Impairment15
Hands, arms, shoulders
Feet, legs, hips
Back, neck
Head, face (including persistent headache)
Lungs, respiration
Heart, vessels
Mouth, mastication
Stomach, intestine, digestion
213
M. Dello Buono et al.
Metabolic disorders
Kidneys, urinary tract
Eyes, eyesight
Ears, hearing
Speech disorders
Mental functions
Sexual functions
Other
"Score = 1 for each item for which pain, discomfort or functional difficulty was spontaneously referred or evoked/observed by the interviewer
(range: 0-16).
""Scoring: 1, not at all; 1, a little; 2, somewhat; 3, quite a lot; 4, much.
2. Cognitive symptoms: Mini Mental State Examination (Folstein et al., 1975)
3. Psychological symptoms: Brief Symptom Inventory (Derogatis and Melisaratos, 1983)
4. Instrumental activities of daily living: Index of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (Lawton and Brody, 1969)
5. Activities of daily living: Index of Activities of Daily Living (Katz, 1970)
6. Sleep disorders
How many days have you had difficulty in sleeping during the last month?
How many days during the last month have you woken up during the night at least twice?
How many days during the last month have you woken up too early and had difficulty going back to sleep?
How many days during the last month have you woken up still tired, even though you had slept as usual?
How many times a week do you have difficulty keeping awake and need to take a nap?
Score: 0, never; 1, 1-3; 2, 4-7; 3, 8-14; 4, 15-21; 5, 22-31.
7. Social support: Social Support Index (Surtees, 1980)
8. Religiousness
Is religious faith a comfort to you in your everyday life?
Has your interest in religion increased over the last year?
Scoring; 0, not at all; 1, at little; 2, somewhat; 3, quite a lot, 4, much.
9. Recreational activities
Over the last year how have your recreational activities been? How does this compare with before?
Include activities from simply playing cards to more complex ways of organizing leisure time. Exclude watching television
Absent
Present
Scoring: 0, decreased compared with before; 1, the same as before; 2, increased compared with before.
10. Economic status
Do you feel that you have sufficient food and clothing for your own personal use?
Are your living conditions adequate, even in the winter?
Do you feel you could cope with an emergency situation with your present financial resources?
Scoring: 0, not at all; 1, at little; 2, somewhat; 3, quite a lot; 4, much.
11. Sexuality
Over the last year (or since the last assessment) what has your interest in sex been? How does this compare with before?
Absent
Present
Scoring: 0, decreased compared with before; 1, the same as before; 2, increased compared with before.
214
Quality of life and longevity
Appendix 2. LEI PAD
The instrument should be administered following the order of the figures indicated for each item
Core instrument (31 items)
Physical functioning scale (theoretical score: 0-15)
1. How would you rate your overall physical health?
6. Do you have sleep problems?
7. Do you get tired, without energy?
9- Are you able to accomplish your usual tasks, either at home, at work or elsewhere?
12. How much do your physical health problems (if any) stand in the way of doing the things you want to do?
Self-care scale (theoretical score: 0-18)
2. Are you able to get up and down the stairs without help?
3- Are you able to dress by yourself?
4. Are you able to eat by yourself?
5. Are you able to bathe or take a shower by yourself?
10. Can you shop by yourself?
11. Can you travel by public transport?
Depression and anxiety scale (theoretical score: 0-12)
17. Taking everything into consideration, how anxious do you feel?
18. How much do your feelings of anxiety (if any) stand in the way of doing the things you want to do?
19. Taking everything into consideration, how depressed (blue) do you feel?
20. How much do your depressed feelings (if any) stand in the way of you doing the things you want to do?
Cognitive functioning scale (theoretical score: 0-15)
8. Do you have difficulties in concentrating?
13- How often does it happen that you are not able to think clearly or that you are confused?
14. How much do your problems with thinking (if any) stand in the way of you doing the things you want to
do?
15. How good is your memory?
16. How much do your memory problems (if any) stand in the way of you doing the things you want to do?
Social functioning scale (theoretical score: 0-9)
21. How satisfied are you with your social ties or relationships?
22. Do you feel emotionally satisfied in your relationships with other people?
23. Is there someone to talk about personal affairs when you want to?
Sexual functioning scale (theoretical score: 0-6)
24. Are you interested in sex?
25. How often do you have sexual contact?
Life satisfaction scale (theoretical score: 0-18)
26. How satisfied are you with your ability to manage your hobbies or recreational activities?
27. How satisfied are you with your financial situation?
28. Do you feel that you cannot afford the standard of living you would need?
29. How satisfied are you in general with your life at present when compared with the past?
30. Taking everything into consideration, how do you expect things will go in the future?
31. How much do your expectations of the future stand in the way of you doing or initiating the things you want
to do?
Moderators (18 items)
The perceived personality disorder scale (theoretical score: 0-6)
39. How often do you feel that most people cannot be trusted?
Do you agree with any of the following statements?
45. "Over the past several years, I have often been troubled by the difficulties I have in dealing with others.'
46. "Over the past several years, I have been bothered by the kind of person I am."
215
M. Dello Buono et a\.
41. "Over the past several years, the way I have behaved has often got me into trouble, either at work, at home or
elsewhere."
48. "Over the past several years, other people have often seemed bothered by the things I do or say."
49. "I haven't got as far as I'd like to because of the kind of person I am."
The anger scale (theoretical score: 0-4)
Do you agree with any of the folio-wing statements?
32. "I feel easily annoyed or irritated."
33- "I have temper outbursts that I cannot control."
34. "I get into arguments with others."
35. "I tend to be resentful."
The social desirability scale (theoretical score: 0-3)
Do you agree with any of the following statements?
42. "I am always ready to go out of my way to help someone else."
43- "I like to gossip at times."
44. "There have been times when I was quite jealous of the good fortune of others."
Self esteem scale (theoretical score: 0-3)
36. Taking everything into consideration, do you feel inferior to other people?
37. How often do you avoid things (refrain from doing things) because you feel inferior?
38. "I tend to have a negative opinion of myself": do you agree with this statement?
Trust in God scale (theoretical score: 0-2)
40. Do you believe in God or some superior being?
41. Do you find comfort or support in such a belief?
216
