Author(s): Botoni,Adriana Letícia de Andrade Silva ; Pimenta,Fausto Aloísio Pedrosa ; Freitas,Sílvia Nascimento ; Nascimento,Raimundo Marques ; Machado-coelho,George Luiz Lins ; Maia,Guilherme Almeida ; Chaimowicz,Flávio
Date: 2014
Origin: Oasisbr
Subject(s): Geriatric assessment, functional capacity, disease's impact profile, epidemiological surveys, elderly health.
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the prevalence of health problems in the elderly, an index of successful aging and considers its relationship with sociodemographic factors and functional capacity, in a random sample representative of the residents in Ouro Preto.
METHODS: Association between functional capacity and sociodemographic and clinical variables was assessed by multiple logistic regression.
RESULTS: The mean age was 67 years old; 59% were of low socioeconomic level and 50% with low education level. There was high prevalence of urinary incontinence, falls, depression, disability and problems with vision, hearing, immunization and cancer screening. Association was observed between functional dependence and female, age, cognitive impairment and vision problems. The probability of presenting successful aging profile was lower among women, for 75-79 years old and low education level.
CONCLUSION: Althoung being young-elderly, they have presented a higher prevalence of health problems. The expectancy of a longer life in women is not associated with a life expectancy free of disability. Successful aging could be a privilege of higher social classes.
