Trends in disability, chronic medical conditions, and mortality in Japanese older adults: analyses based on a national dataset

The aim of this study was to characterize trends in disability and chronic medical conditions in adults aged 65 and older, by age. From the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions (2001–2019), Patient Survey (1996–2020), and Vital Statistics (1995–2020), we documented disability rates, rates of treatment for nine chronic medical conditions (malignant neoplasms, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, pneumonia, fractures, osteoporosis, and joint disorders), total mortality rates, and rates of mortality from specific causes (malignant neoplasms, heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and pneumonia) in both sexes and in five age groups (65–69, 70–74, 75–79, 80–84, and 85–89 years). Overall, rates of disability decreased significantly in both sexes. The rates of treatment for most of the medical conditions also significantly decreased. However, the treatment rate of diabetes mellitus, pneumonia, and fractures in adults aged 85–89 remained high or did not decrease. Both total mortality rates and rates of mortality from specific medical causes declined significantly. We suggest that although most of the disability, chronic medical conditions, and mortality rates decreased, adequate public health policies and healthcare services are necessary to decrease the need for treatment of certain medical conditions that cause disability.