Incapacidade funcional e fatores associados em idosos: estudo de base populacional

Abstract

The aging of the population is a universal phenomenon characterized by the quest for improved quality of life, independence and autonomy within society. On the other hand, physiological changes at this time of life are inevitable and can cause loss of physical, cognitive and sensorial capacity that compromise the daily functionality of the elderly. As such, the purpose of this paper is to describe the prevalence of disability and associated factors among elderly people in the city of Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. The data used to carry out this study were taken from the database of the research initiative entitled “The health of the elderly: epidemiological status and use of health services in Bagé, RS”. This is a population-based study with elderly people aged 60 or over living in the urban area of Bagé, RS, and falling within the catchment area of the city’s primary healthcare services. The dependent variable was disability, defined by the need for help or total dependence in order to perform at least one basic activity according to the Katz Index and at least one instrumental activity of daily living as per the Lawton and Brody Scale. The independent variables involved the evaluation of the sociodemographic, behavioral and health conditions of the elderly, as well as their use of health services. The prevalence of disability to perform basic daily living activities was 10.6% (95%CI 9.1–12.1), whilst for instrumental activities it was 34.2% (95%CI 31.9–36.6). Associated factors were being older within the elderly age group, low level of schooling, being widows/widowers, consuming alcoholic beverages, having chronic diseases, having been hospitalized in the last year and having had care at home in the last three months. The results of the study emphasize the multifactorial nature of disability, indicating the need for it to be investigated as part of the health service routine for early identification of elderly people with loss of functionality, as well as the need to develop prevention and health promotion actions in this area.