A funcionalidade dos mais idosos (>75 anos): conceitos, perfis e oportunidades de um grupo heterogêneo

Are there still sex differences in the functioning of the elderly?

Abstract Introduction: Sex is one of the demographic characteristics that better differentiates the independence of the elderly, despite this distinction not being consensual. Objective: To know the differences in functioning associated with sex in elderly people aged ≥ 65 years according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Methods: This was an analytical and cross-sectional observational study with a sample of 451 subjects. The instruments were a sociodemographic questionnaire identical to a ICF checklist and the Biopsychosocial Assessment Method. The student t, Mann-Whitney, chi-square, and Spearman correlation tests were used considering p < 0.05. Results: The average age was between 79.5 ± 7.5 years with a female prevalence (62.1%). Of the 43 variables studied, sex differences were found in 17 (39.5%). In the personal factors, women showed greater vulnerability in conjugality (p ≤ 0.001), cohabitation (p = 0.037), and economic income (p = 0.002). Nonetheless, they showed healthier behaviors in all health-related habits. As for environmental factors and body functions, greater fragility was once again observed in women: the need for assistive devices (p ≤ 0.001) and urinary incontinence (p = 0.021). In activities/participation, differences were found in mobility, where women experienced more restrictions, whereas men were more dependent on washing/drying clothes in domestic life (p = 0.022). Conclusion: Women are more unprotected in social and economic areas, while men showed more vulnerability in habits related to health. These differences are linked to demographic issues related to longevity, cultural differences, and socialization, and differences regarding activities/participation tend to dilute between sexes.

Functional, nutritional and social factors associated with mobility limitations in the elderly: a systematic review

 Objective. To systematically review the prevalence and in­cidence of mobility limitations in the elderly people and their associated factors. Materials and methods. Articles in the electronic literature were searched via PubMed, Scopus, Lilacs, SciELO, PAHO, MedCarib, Repidisca, Wholis, IBCES, PEDro, Medline and Bireme (2012-2016). The instrument STROBE was used to analyze the quality of the work and the PRISMA recommendation was used to structure the review. Results. Nine studies were included. The prevalence of mobility limitations ranged from 58.1 to 93.2% and the inci­dence ranged from 23 to 53.7%. Studies provided evidence of association of mobility limitations in the elderly popula­tion with high BMI, low 25-hydroxy vitamin D, sarcopenia, fragility, chronic pain, functional dependence, advanced age in women, low hip flexion, sedentary lifestyle, and social support difficulties. Conclusion. Mobility limitations in the elderly had high prevalence and incidence, and there was evidence of association with nutritional, functional and social factors.

Funcionalidade de idosos cadastrados em uma unidade da Estratégia Saúde da Família segundo categorias da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade

OBJETIVOS: Investigar a funcionalidade de idosos cadastrados na Estratégia Saúde da Família ESF e classificar pelas categorias de Atividade e Participação da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde CIF. MÉTODO: Pesquisa transversal, descritiva, realizada em 124 idosos cadastrados na ESF Águas Lindas I, município de Ananindeua, Pará, Brasil. A coleta de dados ocorreu no ambiente domiciliar dos idosos. Investigaram-se as características sociodemográficas, a funcionalidade, pelo Índice de Katz e escala de Lawton, e o nível de Atividade e Participação, segundo a CIF. A análise estatística foi realizada no programa SPSS 18.0, utilizando a média, desvio-padrão e o teste Qui-quadrado de Pearson x2, com descrição da frequência relativa simples de cada domínio avaliado. RESULTADOS: 66,9 % dos idosos eram do sexo feminino, com média de idade 68,5 dp±8,19 anos, casados n=61 e recebiam aposentadoria n=69. Cerca de 65% dos idosos eram independentes para todas as atividades avaliadas pelo Índice de Katz e escala de Lawton. Quanto à classificação da funcionalidade pela CIF, a maioria foi classificada com códigos que indicam nenhuma dificuldade. CONCLUSÃO: A maior parcela dos idosos estudados apresenta-se ativa e participativa, ou seja, é capaz de desempenhar uma tarefa diária, o que talvez represente um envelhecimento com poucas perdas.