Avaliação antropométrica de idosos residentes em Instituições de Longa Permanência de Fortaleza-CE

[Factors associated with being underweight among elderly community-dwellers from seven Brazilian cities: the FIBRA Study]

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of being underweight among the elderly according to demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, health-related behaviors, diseases and health status. This was a cross-sectional multi-center study with 3,478 community-dwelling elders (≥ 65 years). The dependent variable was the prevalence of being underweight, classified by Body Mass Index < 22kg/m2. Adjusted prevalence rate ratios were estimated using multivariable Poisson regression. The mean age was 72.9 years and 12.0% of the elderly were underweight (CI95%:10.9-13.1). Aged elderly ≥ 80 years, former and current smokers, those who reported appetite loss and those classified as pre-frail or frail (PR=1.41; CI95%:1.09-1.82) presented a higher prevalence of being underweight. Individuals who received medical diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes and rheumatism had the lowest underweight prevalence observed. The results highlight the importance of nutritional status assessment and monitoring among the elderly, with emphasis on the most vulnerable subgroups, particularly the frail elderly, taking into account the health consequences of low weight.

Relation to functional and nutritional status among hospitalized elderlies

Introduction: Adding years to life is a great achievement when this is accompanied by a good level of health and well-being and independence. Major indicators for prediction mortality risk in older adults are the nutrition status and physical functional ability. The aim of this study is to present the nutritive and functional status among institutionalized elderlies and the relatedness with certain risk factors. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study has been conducted at certain nursing homes with participation of individuals over 60 years old. As for the research Scale of Daily Living Activities (ADL) has been used to present the functional capacity of the elderly and MNA has been used to detect the nutrition status. Results: The results from the research conducted among elderlies have shown the following socio-demographic characteristics: out of 127 participants, most of them were females-77% and 69% at the age between 75 and 84. Most of the elderlies (in 68%) have completed secondary education. The results from MNA have shown that 69,2% are wellnourished, 27,6% are at risk for malnutrition and 3,2% are malnourished. There is a relatedness of the nutrition status with the gender (p < 0,001) and the level of education (p < 0,001).ADL scale among 127 elderly participants has shown that 37% are independent, 45% are with a moderate impairment and 18% are with severe functional impairment. In comparison with the females, the males show higher level of functional ability in all ADL components except the continence. Conclusion: The results from the research have shown that the nutrition status among elderlies is satisfactory, emphasizing the factors such as gender, education level and functional ability as key points for the level of nutrition status at the elderlies.

Cenários de instituições de longa permanência para idosos: retratos da realidade vivenciada por equipe multiprofissional

OBJETIVO: Identificar os desafios e perspectivas de trabalho nas instituições de longa permanência para idosos (ILPI) na interpretação da equipe multiprofissional. METODOLOGIA: Estudo de abordagem qualitativa, exploratória e descritiva, recorte da pesquisa intitulada "Cenários de cuidados de longa duração: possibilidades avaliativas, interventivas e educacionais na atenção gerontológica". A pesquisa foi desenvolvida no município de Passo Fundo-RS, de março a agosto de 2013, contemplando 14 ILPIs. RESULTADOS: As situações desafiadoras do trabalho aludem ao aspecto de gestão, sistematização de ações, manutenção, convivência e mediação de conflitos profissionais e interpessoais, e no que se refere ao paradigma da institucionalização. As perspectivas da atuação em ILPIs correspondem à valorização com inserção profissional nos cenários de atenção, considerando a Gerontologia especialidade emergente no cumprimento dos preceitos legais e com maior incentivo do poder público. CONCLUSÕES: Os desafios são múltiplos e de ordem diversa. A perspectiva é que, num futuro próximo, possa existir uma equipe multiprofissional mais homogênea atendendo à legislação vigente.