Blood pressure in centenarians in Poland.

The objective of the study is assessment of the prevalence and type of hypertension in centenarians in Poland. The investigations included 92 people who had turned 100 years of age, who, within the protocol of the Project of Investigation Polish Centenarians, underwent genetic, anthropometric, psychological and sociological examinations, and whose cardiovascular system was assessed. In the present analysis, we are analysing data concerning their blood pressure (BP) assessed by several measurements (3-6) with the mercury sphygmomanometer on both arms in sitting (if possible) or lying position performed during one visit. Hypertension was diagnosed when average BP value exceeded > or = 160/95 or > or = 140/90 mmHg. The average of age was 101.2 years (range 100-111 years), the respective values for BP were: systolic 146.7 mmHg (99-213 mmHg), diastolic BP--80.3 mmHg (55-114 mmHg) and pulse pressure (PP) 66.4 mmHg (31-129 mmHg). Hypertension diagnosed based on the criterion > or = 160/95 mmHg was found in 29% of subjects, and according to the recent WHO criterion (> or = 140/90 mmHg) in 65% of subjects. PP exceeded 65 mmHg in 44.6%, and was above 50 mmHg in 91% subjects. In conclusion, hypertension occurs less frequently in centenarians, than in the entire population of old people, but it nevertheless cannot be considered a rare condition.

Drug consumption among Polish centenarians.

The aim of the study was to describe the quantitative and qualitative aspects of pharmacotherapy of Polish centenarians. The studied group consisted of 92 centenarians (mean age: 101.7±1.2 years, 77 females, mean age: 101.5±1.2; 15 males mean age: 102.2±1.2). Among the studied subjects, 18 individuals (19.6% of all subjects) did not use any drugs in his or her daily regimen. The mean number of drugs per person was 2.5±2.5 drugs (prescription drugs: 1.9±2.2 and non-prescription drugs: 0.5±0.8). Fifty-six centenarians (60.9% of all studied subjects) took concomitantly 0-3 drugs daily while 36 (39.1%) took more than 3 drugs daily. Within this group, 30 centenarians (32.6%) took 5 or more drugs concomitantly every day. The most commonly used groups of drugs were: gastrointestinal drugs (55 centenarians, 74.3% of all drug consumed), cardiovascular drugs (51 centenarians, 68.9%) and central nervous system drugs (N) (38 centenarians, 51.4%). In the studied group, 6 persons (8.1% of all drug consumers) were taking one potentially inappropriate drug based on the Beers criteria. To conclude, the mean number of drugs, the prevalence of polypharmacy, and the tendency for potential inappropriateness of treatment are lower among Polish centenarians comparing to the common elderly.