The objectives of this cross-sectional population study of 70-year-old people in Gothenburg, Sweden, were to make a survey of the social and medical conditions of the population, to obtain basic data for planning the care of the elderly, to contribute to the knowledge of normal ageing processes and of normal criteria within the age group, and to offer the subjects a thorough medical examination. A representative systematic sample comprised 1148 propositi (521 males and 627 females). The study comprised a homecall part regarding basic personal data, dwelling conditions, economy, social and physical communications, previous migration, educational level, previous and any present professions, need for care, consumption of health care and drugs. Observations and measurements were done of illumination at the habitual site of reading, and a simple test of visual acuity was performed. Later on, examinations at the Out-patient Department of the Geriatric Hospital were performed, comprising in all probandsThe study was planned and organized by the authors and has been performed under their leadership (project leader A. Svanborg), and with the participation also of E.

In the population study “70‐year‐old people in Gothenburg” 14% of the probands were found to be undergoing treatment with digitalis, 6% with digoxin, 6% with digitoxin and 2% with other glycosides. A comparison between results of the interview method and those of S‐digoxin analyses indicates that the interview method was acceptable. As far as can be judged from S‐digoxin analyses, only about 60% of the treated patients were on a dosage considered to be effective and free from obvious risks of side‐effects. Out of the 130 70‐year‐olds who were on digitalis treatment, 37% had obvious symptoms of heart disease requiring such treatment, 34% lacked symptoms of arrhythmia and/or congestive failure but had heart volumes larger than those used as reference values in younger age groups, and 29% had no symptoms indicating digitalis treatment. At least 13% of the population had indications for digitalis therapy and about 75% of those apparently needing digitalis were on such treatment. Thus both over‐ and underdiagnosis of heart disease requiring digitalis therapy were common in this age group.

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The influence of previous job on health at the age of 70 has been investigated in two representative contrast groups belonging to the population study "70-year-olds in Gothenburg". Anamnestic information, clinical and laboratory data were compared in probands with sedentary work and with arduous manual work. An increased incidence of traumatic injury and an inability to hear whispering at a distance of 5 meters were observed among the heavy workers. In this group, there was also a statistically significantly increased frequency of cyanosis, dyspnea, and post-inflammatory sequelae found on X-ray examination, even if an association between facial cyanosis and exposure to wide ranging atmospheric temperatures and ultraviolet irradiation must be considered. Although the blood pressure levels were almost identical the comparison between the two contrast groups showed an increased incidence of hypertension configuration of the heart and an elongation of the aorta among the manual workers. Thus, the main differences indicated that arduous work was associated with increased risk of traumatic injury, impaired hearing and a certain pulmonary dysfunction, whereas no difference was found in the prevalence of circulatory diseases and diseases of the back and peripheral joints, for example. A very generalized conclusion might be that in the group of elderly people having survived to the age of 70 previous job had not markedly influenced their state of health.