Table 2 Prevalence of chronic conditions and physical limitations in those aged 65–69 years in 1991/92 and those aged 65–69 years in 1996/97

Chronic Conditions

Number of chronic conditions

1

1.40 (1.15 to 1.71)^b

0.006

   0

195 (28.6)

146 (21.4)

   1

248 (36.4)

253 (37.0)

   2

170 (24.9)

188 (27.5)

   3+

69 (10.1)

97 (14.2)

Stroke

28 (4.0)

1

33 (4.8)

1.22 (0.72 to 2.05)

0.45

CHD

97 (14.2)

1

96 (14.0)

1.20 (0.87 to 1.65)

0.26

Intermittent claudication

18 (2.6)

1

11 (1.6)

0.61 (0.28 to 1.30)

0.19

Hypertension

174 (25.3)

1

194 (28.3)

1.16 (0.91 to 1.48)

0.21

Arthritis

302 (43.8)

1

367 (53.4)

1.46 (1.18 to 1.82)

< 0.001

Diabetes

31 (4.5)

1

33 (4.8)

1.07 (0.64 to 1.77)

0.80

Chronic airways obstruction

124 (18.0)

1

158 (23.0)

1.36 (1.04 to 1.78)

0.02

Underactive thyroid

32 (4.6)

1

37 (5.4)

1.13 (0.69 to 1.85)

0.62

Parkinsons

3 (0.4)

1

2 (0.3)

0.67 (0.11 to 4.01)

0.65

Cognitive impairment (MMSE 0–21)

30 (4.4)

1

22 (3.2)

0.71 (0.40 to 1.26)

0.24

Functional Limitations

Hearing problems

111 (16.1)

1

90 (13.1)

0.79 (0.58 to 1.08)

0.13

Eyesight problems

40 (5.8)

1

30 (4.4)

0.73 (0.44 to 1.19)

0.19

Mobility limitation

135 (19.6)

1

161 (23.4)

1.25 (0.96 to 1.62)

0.09

DISABILITY

1

1.34 (0.98 to 1.83)^b

0.06

   None

605 (87.9)

579 (84.4)

   Mild

49 (7.1)

63 (9.2)

   Moderate

34 (4.9)

44 (6.4)

Self Rated Health

Fair/poor vs. Excellent/good

165 (24.0)

1

197 (28.9)

1.28 (1.00 to 1.63)

0.05