INT'L. J. AGING AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, zyxw Vol. zyxw 45(3)223-253,1997 zyx THE SWEDISH CENTENARIAN STUDY: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDY OF FIVE CONSECUTIVE COHORTS AT THE AGE OF 100* S.-M.SAMUELSSON, M.D., PH.D. B. BAUER ALFREDSON, PH.D. B. NORDBECK, M.A. A. BRUN, M.D., PH.D. 8. HAGBERG, PH.D. G. SAMUELSSON, PH.D. zyxwvu Lund University, Sweden L. GUSTAFSON, M.D., PH.D. J. RISBERG, PH.D. ABSTRACT zyxwv Centenarians born 1887-91, who lived in southern Sweden were asked to par- ticipate in this multidisciplinary study (N = 164). Of the survivors (N = 143), 70 percent agreed (N = 100). The purpose was to describe the population from physical, social, and psychological points of view; to characterize centenarians with various health conditions and diverse degrees of autonomy and life satisfaction; and to identify factors at 100 years that predict future survival. Results: Eighty-two percent were women, 25 percent lived in their own home, 37 percent in old age homes, and 38 percent in nursing homes. Socioeconomic status showed a similar distribution compared to nationally representative data. Fifty-two percent managed activities of daily living with or without minor assistance. The incidence of severe diseases was low. In 39 percent a disorder of the circulatory system was found. Thirty-nine per- cent (women) and 11 percent (men) had had at least one hip fracture. Twenty percent had good hearing and good vision. Twenty-seven percent were demented according to DSM 111-R criteria. Means on cognitive tests (word- list, digit-span, learning, and memory) were lower compared to seventy to *The study was supported by grants from the Medical Faculty, Lund University, the Ribbing Memorial Foundation, Greta and Johan Kock Foundation, and the Malmo University Hospital Founda- tion for medical research. 223 Q 1997, Baywood Publishing Co., Inc. doi: 10.2190/XKG9-YP7Y-QJTK-BGPG http://baywood.com