Abstract
In this study we investigated the pathologic process and the cause of death in 20 patients who were 90 years or older and were hospitalized in our hospital in 1991.
1) Over 90-year-old patients were 4.6% of all patients who were admitted to our hospital for the first time in 1991.
2) Both malignant tumor and respiratory disease were most frequent causative diseases for hospitalization.
3) Causes resulting in death were: malignant tumor; 3 cases, pulmonary infection; 2 cases, suffocation; 1 case.
4) All patients were not obese and tended to be slender. Albumin was within normal range. Cholesterol was low value. Blood pressure was not high.
5) They hope to recover from diseases and leave the hospital. Their families also were ready to accept their discharge from the hospital.
6) The relative proportion of the cases of bedridden condition or dementia were less than those of 70 and 80-year-old patients.
