Individual- and state-level factors associated with functional limitation prevalence among Colombian elderly: a multilevel analysis

Construction of multilevel statistical models in health research: Foundations and generalities

This topic review aims to present a global vision of multilevel analysis models’ applicability to health research, explaining its theoretical, methodological, and statistical foundations. We describe the basic steps to build these models and examples of their application according to the data hierarchical structure. It ir worth noticing that before using these models, researchers must have a rationale for needing them, and a statistical evaluation accounting for the variance percentage explained by the observations grouping effect. The requirements to conduct this type of analysis depends on special conditions such as the type of variables, the number of units per level, or the type of hierarchical structure. We conclude that multilevel analysis models are a useful tool to integrate information, considering the complexity of the relationships and interactions involved in most health conditions, including the loss of independence between observation units.

Relationship between physical activity and functional capacity change in aged cohort in São Paulo, Brazil

OBJECTIVES

to evaluate the relationship between leisure-time physical activity and functional capacity change among aged people.

METHODS

we analyzed data of an aged cohort looking for determinants of functional capacity at follow-up. Baseline data were collected between 2007 and 2008 - average follow-up of 3,5 years. A full multivariate linear regression model was built to evaluate functional capacity at the end of the follow-up, controlling for functional capacity at baseline, sociodemographic, health and behavioral characteristics and amount of leisure-time physical activity in the period.

RESULTS

final model showed functional capacity independently correlated with age (p<0.001), body mass (p=0.013) and the number of activities of daily living compromised at baseline (p<0.001). Functional capacity improved with increased physical activity but loss statistical significance after adjustments (p=0.384).

CONCLUSIONS

functional capacity decreases with increased age, increased loss of functional capacity at baseline and increased body mass. Albeit a non-significant association, leisure-time physical activity appears as an important modifiable factor.

Healthy aging determinants and disability among older adults: SABE Colombia

Objective.

To identify the main factors associated with disability in older adults in Colombia, adjusted according to structural and intermediary determinants of healthy aging.

Methods.

This study used cross-sectional data from 23 694 adults over 60 years of age in the SABE Colombia nationwide survey. Structural determinants such as demographic and socioeconomic position variables were analyzed. Intermediary variables were classified into three blocks: intrinsic capacity, physical and built environment, and health care systems. Data analysis employed multivariate logistic regression.

Results.

The prevalence of overall disability was 21% for activities of daily living, 38% for instrumental activities of daily living, and 33% for mobility disability. Disability was associated with sociodemographic structural determinants such as older age, female sex, rural residence, never married/divorced, living alone, low educational level, and Indigenous/Black ethnicity. With regard to determinants of socioeconomic position, net low income, poor socioeconomic stratum, insufficient income perception, and a subsidized health insurance scheme exerted a major influence on disability. Intermediary determinants of intrinsic capacity, such as poor self-rated health, multimorbidity, low grip strength, sedentary lifestyle, early childhood economic adversity, no social support, and no participation in activities, were significantly associated with disability.

Conclusions.

Actions that affect the main factors associated with disability, such as reducing health inequities through policies, strategies, and activities, can contribute significantly to the well-being and quality of life of Colombian older adults.

Predictive factors of functional mobility in older women after 12 weeks of resistance training

To analyze the association between functional mobility and anthropometric and functional characteristics of older women after 12 weeks of resistance training. METHODS: Forty-seven community-dwelling older women underwent 12 weeks of supervised resistance training twice a week. The dependent variable (mobility measured by the Timed Up and Go test) and the independent variables (age, body mass index, fat-free mass of the lower limbs, waist circumference, peak knee torque at 60º/s, peak knee torque at 180º/s, functional reach test, and 30-second chair stand test) were measured before and after the intervention. RESULTS: A multivariate analysis showed that age, body mass index, waist circumference, and the 30-second stand test predicted 30% (R2 = 0.30; p = 0.001; F = 5.53) of the total variance regarding an improvement in mobility after resistance training (p < 0.0001; [95% CI 0.72–1.20]; the effect size was considered large [0.90]) when comparing women before and after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Age, body mass index, waist circumference, and the 30-second stand test predicted 30% of the increase in functional mobility.

Association of the functional capacity and violence in the elderly community

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the relationship between the functional capacity of elderly community members and the sociodemographic and violence characteristics.

METHODS

Cross-sectional, epidemiological, analytical study with 159 elderly people. For data collection, a questionnaire was used for sociodemographic characterization; the Katz, Lawton and Brody scale; a questionnaire adapted from the FIBRA network; and the Conflict Tactics Scales, analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and multiple logistic regression models.

RESULTS

It was observed that the sociodemographic variables influence the prevalence of functional dependence for basic activities of daily living and reduction in advanced activities in elderly people with psychological and physical violence.

CONCLUSION

The dependence of the elderly for basic and intermediate activities is related to characteristics such as advanced age, work exercise and knowing how to read and write. The participants' functional dependence can favor violent outcomes, whether physical or psychological.

Leisure-time physical activity as a protective factor for functional capacity loss in community dwelling elders

ABSTRACT Populational aging led to the emergence of chronic diseases, all potentially incapacitating, thus affecting functional capacity (FC) of elders. Despite health evidences in favour of having regular physical activity, the majority of elders are not sufficiently active. Baseline data of an urban elder cohort in Brazil showed that only 28% were active and 68% had some functional loss, a figure that went up to 73% among the inactives. FC was associated with a network of sociodemographic, health and behavioral factors. In a multivariate analysis, the inactives showed twice the odds of being severely dependent when compared to the actives. Noteworthy that inactivity is as a modifiable factor that might prevent FC loss. Longitudinal studies are needed to verify.

Functional Dependence among older adults receiving care from Family Health Strategy teams

Abstract Objective : To evaluate functional dependence among older adults receiving care from Family Health Strategy (FHS) teams, in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil, identifying associated factors. Methods : A cross-sectional and analytical study with randomly selected older adults was performed. The instrument used was BOMFAQ (the Brazilian Older Americans Resources and Services Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire). Data collection was performed by trained staff in the homes of the older adults. Sociodemographic, economic data, living habits, health care, morbidities and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) were evaluated. In addition to descriptive analysis, factors associated with functional dependence were identified using the chi-square test, followed by hierarchical multiple analysis using Poisson regression with robust variance. Results : 1,750 older adults were evaluated. The group was predominantly female, with low schooling. The proportion of the sample considered dependent was 57.0%. The variables associated with functional dependence were: female gender (PR=1.19); age ≥70 years (PR=1.33); schooling ≤4 years (PR=1.19); being unemployed (PR=1.43); not performing physical activity (PR=1.19) or walking (PR=1.15); not listening to the radio as a leisure activity (PR=1.13); not having the habit of reading (PR=1.17); presenting depressive symptoms (PR=1.15); hospitalization in the last six months (PR=1.18); cognitive impairment (PR=1.16); insomnia (PR=1.13); obesity (PR=1.18); falls in the last year (PR=1.11); cataracts (PR=1.09), spinal problems (PR=1.19); urinary incontinence (PR=1.25); poor circulation (PR=1.09) and a negative self-perception of health (PR=1.22). Conclusion : Functional dependence is multifactorial, but is influenced mainly by the health conditions of older adults.