Vulnerabilidade e Declínio Funcional em pessoas idosas da Atenção Primária à Saúde: estudo longitudinal

Loss of Muscle Mass and Vulnerability in Institutionalized Older Adults

This study aimed to evaluate the association between muscle mass and vulnerability in institutionalized older adults. A cross-sectional study was carried out in eight philanthropic Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF) located in the metropolitan area of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The participants were individuals aged 60 years or older who were present in the institutions at the time of data collection. To assess muscle mass, the calf circumference was categorized into loss of muscle mass (<31 cm) and preserved muscle mass (≥31 cm). The vulnerability was assessed by The Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13). Of the 250 older adults evaluated, 46.1% presented loss of muscle mass, which was associated with the presence of physical limitation, vulnerability, and age group (p < 0.05). The presence of vulnerability was the main factor contributing to loss of muscle mass (R2 = 8.8%; B = 0.781; 95% CI 0.690−0.884; p < 0.001). Loss of muscle mass is associated with disability in institutionalized older adults.

Factors associated with functional disability in older adults with cancer treated at reference outpatient clinics in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To analyze factors associated with functional disability in older adults with cancer treated at reference outpatient clinics in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study of 463 older adults aged 60 years or older. The outcome variable was functional disability, evaluated by Lawton and Brody's Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale. The independent variables were sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, social support, and health aspects. We performed bivariate and multivariate analyses and calculated prevalence ratios (PR) using Poisson regression with robust variance.

RESULTS

The prevalence of IADL functional disability was 55.3%. The variables associated with this disability in the multivariate analysis were: not working (PR=1.36; 95% confidence interval - 95%CI 1.03-1.78); low (PR=1.49; 95%CI 1.10-2.03) and moderate (PR=1.30; 95%CI 1.04-1.64) perceived affectionate support; depressive symptoms (PR=1.31; 95%CI 1.10-1.56); malnutrition (PR=1.28; 95%CI 1.03-1.59); having two or more comorbidities (PR=1.30; 95%CI 1.03-1.64), and having a companion to health services (PR=1.39; 95%CI 1.05-1.83).

CONCLUSION

In addition to physical health aspects, comorbidities, and malnutrition, functional disability was associated with emotional, social support, and work issues, reinforcing the importance of comprehensive care and actions to maintain and recover functional capacity, promoting a better quality of life, the independence of older adults with cancer, and a reduced risk of adverse biopsychosocial outcomes.

Fatores associados à incapacidade funcional em idosos com câncer atendidos em ambulatórios de referência no estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil

RESUMO: Objetivo: Analisar os fatores associados à incapacidade funcional em idosos com câncer atendidos em ambulatórios de referência do estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com 463 idosos de 60 anos ou mais. A variável desfecho foi a incapacidade funcional, avaliada por meio da Escala de Atividades Instrumentais de Vida Diária (AIVD) desenvolvida por Lawton e Brody. As variáveis independentes foram características sociodemográficas, estilo de vida, apoio social e condições de saúde. Foram realizadas análises bivariada e múltipla, calculando-se as razões de prevalência (RP), com o uso de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. Resultados: A prevalência de incapacidade funcional para as AIVD foi de 55,3%. As variáveis que se associaram a essa incapacidade na análise múltipla foram: não trabalhar (RP=1,36, intervalo de confiança — IC95% 1,03–1,78); percepção de apoio afetivo baixo (RP=1,49; IC95% 1,10–2,03) e médio (RP=1,30; IC95% 1,04–1,64); sintomas depressivos (RP=1,31; IC95% 1,10–1,56); desnutrição (RP=1,28; IC95% 1,03–1,59); ter duas ou mais comorbidades (RP=1,30; IC95% 1,03–1,64) e ter acompanhante aos serviços de saúde (RP=1,39; IC95% 1,05–1,83). Conclusão: Além das condições de saúde física, comorbidade e desnutrição, as questões emocionais, de apoio social e trabalho associaram-se à incapacidade funcional, reforçando a importância de uma atenção integral e de ações de manutenção e recuperação da capacidade funcional, promovendo maior qualidade de vida, a independência do idoso com câncer e a redução do risco de desfechos adversos em âmbito biopsicossocial.