Usability and acceptability of internet-based interventions for family carers of people living with dementia: systematic review.

Objectives: Internet-based interventions can help carers of people living with dementia to cope with care-related challenges and can help improve their wellbeing. This systematic review aimed at investigating the criteria of usability and acceptability of self-guided internet-based interventions for family carers of people living with dementia. Method: Searches were conducted on PubMed, Virtual Health Library Regional Portal (Americas), MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Cochrane. Studies published up to December 2019, in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, were eligible. We followed the definition/criteria from ISO ISO-9241-11 for usability (efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction) and acceptability (barriers for using and utility). Methodological quality was evaluated using specific tools according to each study design. Results: Ten studies were included, all of which had high methodological quality. Carers of people living with dementia indicated that internet-based interventions were mostly effective, efficient, and satisfactory. They considered these to be informative, relevant, and functional, highlighting the utility and intention of using the resource in the future. The high heterogeneity in the terms and methods used to evaluate usability and acceptability hindered cross-study comparisons, however internet-based interventions were considered useful and acceptable by most carers. Conclusion: Future research should consider expanding the criteria of usability and acceptability to better reflect the needs of this population.

User and family satisfaction with nursing homes: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Implementation of person-directed care planning is a challenge for nursing home services. User satisfaction is indispensable to implement it. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to address user and family satisfaction with nursing homes and the scales used and to identify the determinants of satisfaction with this service. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted, and the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and CINAHL databases were searched between December 2019 and April 2020. Studies involving assessment of user or family satisfaction with nursing homes and users ≥65 years old or their families were included in this review. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed by the Joanna Briggs Institute reviewer's manual. RESULTS: Eight articles were included based on the eligibility criteria, from a total of 2378 records found in the electronic search. All studies presented a cross-sectional design, and the total sample of this review was 57 214 older people. Most of the studies included showed positive overall satisfaction with nursing homes. There was no consensus about the best scale to assess satisfaction because of the huge variety of tools among studies. The most common determinants of satisfaction among studies were quality of life (mental and physical components), anxiety and social and health factors. CONCLUSION: The findings of our review may contribute to a better view of satisfaction with nursing homes experienced by users and families and to an improvement of care in these institutions.

Frailty state transitions among non-frail and vulnerable older adults: Does mobility performance really matter?

We assessed the predictors of becoming frail between non-frail and vulnerable community-dwelling older adults in a retrospective cohort study with adults (n=346) aged 60 years or older recruited from primary healthcare centers. Edmonton Frailty Scale assessed frailty status, and Kaplan-Meier estimated the frailty-free probability and compared it between groups. Cox regression models explored predictors of becoming frail. At baseline, there were 32.3% individuals classified as Frail according to the EFS, whereas 32.4% were vulnerable and 35.3% non-frail. We observed 82 incident cases of frailty, 65.8% among those classified as vulnerable and 37.8% in the non-frail group (p < 0.05). Female sex, years of education, and an overall score of < 45 on the Berg Balance Scale were the only independent predictors of becoming frail. Although frailty is not only correlated with mobility, static and dynamic balancing abilities appear to have the same impact as a vulnerable state to becoming frail.

Association between participation restriction due to hearing loss and self-perception of health, social support, and quality of life in elderly people: a cross-sectional study. / Associação entre restrição à participação decorrente de perda auditiva e autopercepção de saúde, suporte social e qualidade de vida da pessoa idosa: estudo transversal.

PURPOSE: To verify the association between participation restriction due to hearing loss and self-perception of health, social support, and quality of life in elderly people. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, observational, and descriptive study with a quantitative data approach. A database with information collected in a medium-sized Brazilian municipality was used. The study was conducted with 235 elderly people registered in five Family Health Strategy Units. Sociodemographic and health information and the results of the following questionnaires were used: Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly - Screening Version (HHIE-S), Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Social Support Survey, Subjective Health Assessment, and Short-Form 6-Dimension (SF-6D) Health and Quality of Life Index. Groups with and without participation restriction were compared according to sociodemographic, health, social support, and quality of life variables. A multivariate binary logistic regression method was employed to evaluate the associations between the independent variables and participation restriction. RESULTS: The group with participation restriction is composed of older individuals with lower quality of life and poorer self-perception of health. Poorer self-perception of health was the only predictor of participation restriction related to hearing loss. CONCLUSION: Participation restriction is associated with poorer self-perception of health. The study highlights the importance of assessing individuals' self-perception regarding biopsychosocial issues, in addition to considering the environmental context to understand the social and emotional impacts caused by hearing loss.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a associação entre a restrição à participação decorrente de perda auditiva e a autopercepção da saúde, do suporte social e da qualidade de vida em pessoas idosas. MÉTODO: Estudo com delineamento transversal, observacional, descritivo e com abordagem quantitativa dos dados. Foi utilizado um banco de dados com informações coletadas em um município brasileiro de médio porte, sendo incluídas no estudo 235 pessoas cadastradas em cinco unidades de Estratégia de Saúde da Família. Utilizou-se informações sociodemográficas, de saúde e os resultados dos questionários: avaliação à restrição à participação (Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening Version - HHIE-S), Suporte Social (Escala de Apoio Social do MOS), Avaliação Subjetiva de Saúde e a Qualidade de Vida (Short-Form 6 dimensions- SF-6D). Comparou-se os grupos com restrição e sem restrição à participação segundo as variáveis sociodemográficas, de saúde, suporte social e qualidade de vida. Um método de regressão logística binária multivariado foi utilizado para avaliar as associações entre as variáveis independentes e a restrição à participação. RESULTADOS: O grupo com restrição à participação é mais velho, possui menor qualidade de vida e pior autopercepção de saúde. Esta se mostrou ser o único preditor da restrição à participação relacionada à perda auditiva. CONCLUSÃO: A restrição à participação está associada a uma pior autopercepção de saúde. O estudo revela a importância de avaliar a autopercepção dos indivíduos quanto às questões biopsicossociais, além de considerar o contexto ambiental para a compreensão dos impactos sociais e emocionais da perda auditiva.

Translation, adaptation, and reliability of a Social Frailty Scale for the Brazilian context: a methodological study.

BACKGROUND: Frailty comprises three dimensions: physical, psychological, and social. It is established that social frailty is correlated with several variables, such as quality of life, depression, and loneliness. These findings reinforce the need to investigate and define predictors of social frailty. OBJECTIVE: To translate, culturally adapt, and assess the reliability of the HALFT scale for Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Methodological study conducted at Universidade Federal de São Carlos. METHODS: This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the HALFT scale from English to Brazilian Portuguese, for which the steps of translation, synthesis of translations, back translation, evaluation by an expert committee, pre-test, and test-retest were followed. RESULTS: Two independent translators translated the HALFT. The consensual version was established by merging the translations, which were back translated into English by a third translator. The expert committee comprised seven health professionals working in frailty and/or social fields of study. Only one item on the scale had a content validity index of less than one (0.85). The instrument was pre-tested with 35 older adults who considered it clear and understandable, with no suggestion of changes. The reliability analysis (reproducibility) of the adapted version of the HALFT with test-retest of the scale with 23 participants showed a Kappa index of 0.62, showing good agreement. CONCLUSION: The HALFT scale is translated and adapted for Brazil, and shows good reliability. However, it is necessary to conduct psychometric analysis of the instrument to provide normative data for this population.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of Sarcopenia and Quality of Life (SarQoL) in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is defined as a slow, progressive, and apparently inevitable process of involuntary loss of muscle mass, strength, and quality, which occurs with advancing age. It is widely accepted that sarcopenia can directly affect quality of life. OBJECTIVE: Translate, adapt and validate the "Sarcopenia and Quality of Life" instrument (SarQoL) to the Brazilian context. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation study carried out at the Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: The population consisted of 221 older adult participants. The steps recommended by the guidelines from the authors of the original instrument were followed sequentially: initial translation, synthesis of translations, backward translation, evaluation by a panel of judges, pre-test, and analysis of psychometric properties. The translation and adaptation process was conducted as recommended. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-one participants took part in the step analysis of the psychometric properties of SarQoL, in which 55 presented sarcopenia. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the total SarQoL questionnaire was 0.976, indicating excellent internal consistency. Excellent agreements between the test and retest with an Interclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of 0.983 (95% confidence interval: 0.901-0.996) were observed in the SarQoL domains. The domains of Short-Form 36 and EuroQoL 5-dimension showed significant correlation, from moderate to strong magnitude, with SarQoL total score, indicating convergent validity. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of SarQoL presented evidence of reliability and validity.

Social support perceived by elderly people in social vulnerability according to family functionality: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the social support as perceived by elderly persons in a context of social vulnerability according to family functionality. METHOD: A cross-sectional study using a quantitative approach, carried out in São Carlos-SP, with 123 elderly people living in a context of high social vulnerability. The sample was divided into two groups: good family functionality and moderate/severe family dysfunction. Data was collected on sociodemographic characteristics, family functionality (Family APGAR) and social support (Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale). The Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and Fisher's exact statistical tests were used. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between social support and family functionality (p < 0.05). The group with good family functionality obtained higher median social support scores: affective 100.00; material 95.00; information 90.00; emotional 90.00; positive social interaction 85.00; when compared to the group with moderate/severe family dysfunction: affective 86.67; material 87.50; information 70.00; emotional 65.00; positive social interaction 65.00. CONCLUSION: Elderly persons living in dysfunctional families have less perceived social support when compared to those living in families with good family functionality.

Association between frailty and depression among hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is consensually understood to be a clinical syndrome in which minimal stressors can lead to negative outcomes such as hospitalization, early institutionalization, falls, functional loss and death. Frailty is more prevalent among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and those on dialysis are the frailest. Depression contributes towards putting patients with CKD into the frailty cycle. OBJECTIVE: To assess frailty and its relationship with depression among patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Observational and quantitative cross-sectional study conducted in a renal therapy unit, located in the interior of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: This investigation took place in 2019, among 80 patients. The following instruments were applied: a sociodemographic, economic and health condition characterization and the Subjective Frailty Assessment (SFA) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). RESULTS: Among the patients, there was higher prevalence of females, individuals with a steady partner and retirees, and their mean age was 59.63 (± 15.14) years. There was high prevalence of physical frailty (73.8%) and depression (93.7%). Depression was associated with frailty, such that patients with depression were 9.8 times more likely to be frail than were patients without depression (odds ratio, OR = 9.80; 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.93-49.79). CONCLUSION: Based on the proposed objective and the results achieved, it can be concluded that depression was associated with the presence of frailty among patients with CKD on hemodialysis.

Hearing handicap and frailty in community-dwelling older adults living. / Handicap auditivo e fragilidade em idosos da comunidade.

PURPOSE: To verify the relationship between hearing handicap and frailty in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 238 older adults (aged ≥ 60 years) in 2018. The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly - Screening version - HHIE-S was applied to assess the hearing handicap. To assess frailty, the Frailty Phenotype proposed for Fried and co-workers was adopted, objectively evaluating 5 criteria: unintentional weight loss, reported fatigue, reduced grip strength, reduced walking speed and low physical activity. It was investigated whether the hearing handicap were related with frailty using Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman test. RESULTS: Worse perception of the hearing handicap was found in pre-frail and frail individuals, compared to non-frail individuals. In addition, hearing handicap showed a positive and statistically significant correlation with frailty. CONCLUSION: Hearing handicap is related to frailty in community-dwelling older adults.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a relação entre o handicap auditivo e fragilidade em idosos residentes da comunidade. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal realizado com 238 idosos (idade ≥ 60 anos), no ano de 2018. O questionário Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly - Screening version - HHIE-S, foi aplicado para quantificar o handicap auditivo. A fragilidade foi avaliada segundo o Fenótipo de Fragilidade proposto por Fried e colaboradores, utilizando os 5 critérios: perda de peso não intencional, fadiga relatada, redução da força de preensão, redução da velocidade de caminhada e baixa atividade física. A relação entre o handicap auditivo e a fragilidade foi realizada por meio dos Testes Kruskal-Wallis e Spermann. RESULTADOS: Maior percepção do handicap auditivo foi verificado nos indivíduos pré-frágeis e frágeis, comparados aos não frágeis. O handicap auditivo apresentou correlação positiva e estatisticamente significante com maiores níveis de fragilidade. CONCLUSÃO: O handicap auditivo está relacionado a fragilidade em idosos da comunidade.

ISupport-Brasil: Preliminary results of the usability and acceptability assessment by caregivers of people who have dementia.

Objective: To assess usability and acceptability of iSupport-Brasil (iSupport-BR) to virtually support family caregivers of people who have dementia. Materials and methods: In the first stage, nine caregivers/former caregivers assessed the interface of the platform that hosts iSupport-BR. In the second stage, 10 caregivers assessed acceptability of the platform and answered the System Usability Scale (SUS), which varies from 0 to 100 points. A descriptive analysis of the quantitative data was performed, as well as a thematic analysis on the open questions. All the ethical aspects were respected. Results: The results of the first stage indicated a user-friendly interface of the system and relevant content of the program, with 55.6 and 77.8% of the participants assigning the maximum grade to these questions, respectively. Of the five possible points, the system's mean score was 3.7. In Stage 2, 80% of the caregivers rated the program as very useful and 100% would recommend it to other caregivers. Perception of the program's usability by the SUS scale was excellent (M = 86.5 ± 11.5). Conclusion: This research allowed elaborating the final version of iSupport-BR, considering usability and acceptability of the platform and the program for computers/notebooks, being a pioneer in evaluating it for use in smartphones. Future research studies will have to assess the effects of iSupport-BR on the caregivers' mental health.

Relationship between frailty, social support and family functionality of hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The population with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is more predisposed to early development of frailty. Although the concept of frailty is well established from a physical point of view, it is not an exclusively physical syndrome. It can be characterized as an interaction of physical, psychological and social factors. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the relationship between frailty, social support and family functionality among CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Correlational, cross-sectional and quantitative study conducted at a service in the interior of the state of São Paulo. METHODS: This study included 80 patients with CKD who were on hemodialysis. The participants were interviewed individually, with application of the following instruments: sociodemographic and economic characterization, Tilburg Frailty Indicator, Medical Outcomes Study and Family APGAR. Females and white ethnicity predominated among the participants, and their mean age was 59.63 ± 15.14 years. RESULTS: There was high prevalence of frailty (93.8%). Although there was a difference in scores for the dimensions of social support between the frail group and the non-frail group, only family functionality reached a statistically relevant difference. There was a significant correlation between physical frailty, social support and family functionality. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of frailty is related to the social support and family functionality of patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis.

Are body fat and inflammatory markers independently associated with age-related muscle changes?

BACKGROUND & AIMS: A growing number of studies have shown that body fat and inflammation are associated with age-related changes in body muscle composition. However, most of these studies did not control for potential confounders. The aim was to determine whether there is an association between body fat and inflammatory cytokines with muscle mass/strength decline in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Anthropometric, physical and functionality variables were collected. Nutritional status was assessed by the MNA form. Dynapenia was assessed with handgrip strength on the dominant hand using a dynamometer. Sarcopenia was determined using adapted criteria from the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2). Inflammatory cytokines were evaluated in plasma using a multiplex assay. Associations to muscle mass/strength decline were analyzed using a multinominal logistic regression, adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: We recruited a convenience sample of 311 adults aged 60 years or older. Most of subjects were sufficiently active females with a median age of 68 years (interquartile range [IQR], 64-74 years), whereas about a half (46.3%) were at risk of malnutrition. The prevalence of dynapenia was 38.3%, whereas sarcopenia was 13.2%. After controlling for potential confounders, we found that relative fat mass index is independently associated with sarcopenia. Loss of strength was independently associated only with female sex, lower physical activity, worse nutrition and IL-10/TNF-α ratio, whereas female sex, an insufficiently active lifestyle and relative fat mass index were the key determinants of sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of physical activity and healthy diet as effective interventions to prevent muscle mass/strength decline, and points to IL-10/TNF-α ratio and body fat as independently associated factors for dynapenia and sarcopenia, respectively.

Frailty and associated risk factors in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. / Fragilidade e fatores de risco associados em pacientes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise.

The objective of this article is to determine the relationship between frailty and socio-demographic/clinical characteristics in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 107 participants. Descriptive, correlation and logistic regression analyses were performed, with the level of significance set to 5% (p < 0.05). The prevalence of frailty was 47.66%. Frailty was negatively correlated with cognition (r = -0.30; p = 0.002), functioning on instrumental activities of daily living (r = -0.41; p = 0.000) and hematocrit level (r = -0.19; p = 0.04). The proportion of frailty increased with the age of the participants (OR = 1.03; 95%CI: 1.004-1.069; p = 0.02). Individuals with chronic kidney disease on dialysis had high percentages of frailty, which was associated with an older age and correlated with cognition, functioning on instrumental activities of daily living and a lower hemotocrit level.

O objetivo deste artigo é verificar a relação entre fragilidade e os aspectos sociodemográficos e clínicos de pacientes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise. Estudo transversal, conduzido com 107 participantes. Realizou-se análise descritiva, correlação e regressão logística. Os resultados foram considerados significativos com p-valor ≤ 0,05. A prevalência de fragilidade correspondeu a 47,66%, correlacionou-se negativamente com a cognição (r = -0,30; p-valor = 0,002), funcionalidade para atividades instrumentais de vida diária (r = -0,41; p-valor = 0,000) e com o nível de hematócrito (r = -0,19; p-valor = 0,04). Constatou- se a maior proporção de fragilidade em participantes com maior idade (OR = 1,03; IC95% 1,004-1,069; p = 0,02). Os participantes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise apresentaram elevados percentuais de fragilidade, associada a maior idade e correlacionada a cognição, funcionalidade para atividades básicas de vida diária e menor nível de hematócrito.

Frailty, depression, and quality of life: a study with elderly caregivers.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the relationship between frailty, depressive symptoms, and quality of life of elderly caregivers of other elderly living in high social vulnerability. METHODS: a descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study conducted with 40 elderly caregivers. A questionnaire to characterize elderly caregivers, the Fried frailty phenotype, the Geriatric Depression Scale (to screen depressive symptoms) and the Short-Form 6 Dimension (to assess quality of life) were used. For data analysis, Student's t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's χ2 and Fisher's exact test were used. RESULTS: most were pre-frail (52.5%) and had no evidence of depressive symptoms (57.5%). They presented, on average, a score of 0.76 (±0.1) in relation to quality of life. Statistical significance was observed between the average scores of quality of life with depressive symptoms (p=0.012) and frailty level (p=0.004). CONCLUSION: frail elderly caregivers with depressive symptoms had a worse perception of quality of life.

Social and health-related predictors of family function in older spousal caregivers: a cross-sectional study.

Given the benefits of adequate family function for the health and well-being of older adults, it is important to understand what factors predict adequate family function in older people who care for their spouses. OBJECTIVE: Analyse predictors of family function in older spousal caregivers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used to investigate a non-probabilistic sample of 298 older spousal caregivers. Home-based face-to-face interviews were used to evaluate sociodemographic variables and care context, family function (Family APGAR), cognitive function, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression with stepwise forward method for variable section. RESULTS: Older caregivers having some degree of cognitive impairment (OR=-0.160, 95%CI 0.444-0.579), depressive symptoms (OR=-0.848, 95%CI 0.726-0.992) or high levels of stress (OR=-0.955, 95%CI 0.914-0.999) had overall lower levels of family function. Having more children was linked to approximately 1.3 times higher family function (95%CI 1.080-1.057). CONCLUSION: Stress, depression, cognitive decline, and number of children are predictors of family function and should be considered in social and health care strategies within the family caregiving context.

Dados os benefícios da função familiar adequada para a saúde e o bem-estar de pessoas idosas, é importante compreender quais fatores predizem o funcionamento familiar adequado em pessoas idosas que cuidam de seus cônjuges. OBJETIVO: Analisar preditores de funcionamento familiar em idosos cuidadores de cônjuges idosos. MÉTODOS: Um estudo transversal foi usado para investigar uma amostra não probabilística de 298 cuidadores cônjuges idosos. Foram realizadas entrevistas domiciliares para avaliar variáveis sociodemográficas e situação de cuidado, funcionamento familiar (APGAR familiar), função cognitiva, percepção de estresse e sintomas depressivos. Os dados coletados foram analisados por meio de regressão logística múltipla com método stepwise forward para seleção das variáveis. RESULTADOS: Idosos cuidadores com algum grau de comprometimento cognitivo (OR=-0,160, IC95% 0,444­0,579), sintomas depressivos (OR=-0,848, IC95% 0,726­0,992) ou altos níveis de estresse (OR=-0,955, IC95% 0,914-0,999) tiveram menores níveis de funcionamento familiar. Ter mais filhos esteve relacionado a maiores níveis de funcionamento familiar em aproximadamente 1,3 vez (IC95% 1,080­1,057). CONCLUSÃO: A presença de estresse, depressão, declínio cognitivo e número de filhos são preditores do funcionamento familiar e devem ser considerados como parte de estratégias sociais e de saúde no contexto de cuidado familiar.

Factors associated with depressive symptoms in older adults in context of social vulnerability.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly inserted in a context of high social vulnerability. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 302 elderly people enrolled in Primary Care. We used a sociodemographic questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale, Mini Nutritional Assessment, Shor-form-6D Quality of Life Questionnaire and Medical Outcome Study Scale. For data analysis, a logistic regression was performed considering two groups, with and without depressive symptoms. RESULTS: A good perception of the quality of life (OR: 0.21) and receiving emotional support (OR: 0.98) were presented as protective factors for depression, have risks of malnutrition (OR: 4.87), belong to the female sex OR: 1.88) and living alone (OR: 2.34), indicated a predictor factor for depression. CONCLUSION: Quality of life and social support were identified as protective factors for depressive symptoms while being at risk of malnutrition, living alone, reporting pain and being female are predictors.

Vitamin D Deficient Older Adults Are More Prone to Have Metabolic Syndrome, but Not to a Greater Number of Metabolic Syndrome Parameters.

This study investigated the relationship between metabolic parameters and low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in older adults (n = 265). They were assessed for anthropometrics and metabolic measurements, including 25(OH)D, insulin, glucose, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and other inflammatory markers. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a 25(OH)D level below 50 nmol/L. Comparisons between groups were performed using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney or Pearson's Chi-squared test. A multivariate adjusted Poisson regression was used to model the number of metabolic parameters as a function of a set of explanatory variables. Subjects with 25(OH)D deficiency were predominantly females and presented higher body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, triglycerides and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), and higher insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome was also more prevalent among 25(OH)D-deficient subjects. In those without metabolic syndrome, 25(OH)D deficiency was related only to obesity and higher insulin resistance. Female sex, hypertension, higher waist circumference and higher levels of hemoglobin A1C (%), HDL-C, and TG were significantly associated with an increased number of metabolic syndrome parameters after adjusting for covariates, but 25(OH)D was not. The fact that serum 25(OH)D concentration was inversely associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance not only reaffirms the relevance to consider serum 25(OH)D concentration as an influencing factor for insulin resistance, but also the need to actively screen for hypovitaminosis D in all patients with this condition.

Frailty, profile and cognition of elderly residents in a highly socially vulnerability area. / Fragilidade, perfil e cognição de idosos residentes em área de alta vulnerabilidade social.

This study aimed to associate frailty with sociodemographic profile and cognition of elderly people living in highly socially vulnerable contexts registered at a Social Assistance Referral Centers in a city of inland São Paulo. This is a cross-sectional and quantitative study with 48 elderly. Data was collected with a sociodemographic interview, the Edmonton Frail Scale and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and was analyzed with the Jonckheere-Terpstra test, Spearman's correlation and logistic regression (α = 5.0%). This study was approved under Opinion Nº 72182. Of the 48 elderly interviewed, 33.4% were non-frail, 20.8% were apparently vulnerable and 45.8% were frail at some level (mild, moderate or severe). Women (OR = 4.64) and nonwhites (OR = 3.99) were more likely of being frail. The realms with the greatest influence in the determination of frailty were cognition, independence and functional performance, general health and mood, although gender (p = 0.0373) and ethnicity (p = 0.0284) had a significant association. Worth highlighting is that considering the frailty profile of the elderly warrants the development of specific care strategies for this segment of the population in a vulnerable area, preventing futures complications.

O objetivo do estudo foi associar a fragilidade com perfil sociodemográfico e cognição de idosos residentes em contexto de alta vulnerabilidade social cadastrados em um Centro de Referência de Assistência Social em um município do interior paulista. Estudo transversal e quantitativo realizado com 48 idosos. Para a coleta de dados utilizou-se entrevista sociodemográfica, Escala de Fragilidade de Edmonton e Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Para a análise dos dados foi empregado teste de Jonckheere-Terpstra, correlação de Spearman e regressão logística (α = 5,0%). Dos 48 entrevistados, 33,4% não eram frágeis, 20,8% se mostraram aparentemente vulneráveis e 45,8% estavam frágeis em algum nível. As mulheres (OR = 4,64) e os de raça não branca (OR = 3,99) tiveram maior chance de apresentar fragilidade. Os domínios com maior influência na determinação da fragilidade foram: cognição, independência e desempenho funcional, estado geral da saúde e humor, embora sexo (p = 0,0373) e raça (p = 0,0284) tenham apresentado associação significativa. Destaca-se que considerar o perfil de fragilidade dos idosos subsidia o desenvolvimento de estratégias específicas de cuidado para este segmento populacional em área vulnerável prevenindo futuras complicações.

Relationship between cognitive processing, language and verbal fluency among elderly individuals.

Some cognitive dimensions, such as attention, memory and executive functions, may decline with age, while other functions remain intact or even improve due to greater life experience. OBJECTIVE: to analyze the relationship between cognitive processing, language and verbal fluency among elderly individuals seen by primary healthcare services located in a city in the interior of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: a cross-sectional study with a quantitative method was conducted. A total of 149 elderly individuals were assessed through previously scheduled interviews. Data collection included a questionnaire on sociodemographic data and the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination - Revised (ACE-R). Cognitive processing (P300) was assessed using a device that captures potentials elicited in auditory tasks. Descriptive analysis and Spearman's correlation were performed with the level of significance established at 5%. RESULTS: a negative correlation was found between language and P300 latency, while a positive correlation was found between verbal fluency and P300 amplitude. Comprehension and naming tasks showed a negative correlation with latency. The repetition task revealed a positive correlation with P300 amplitude. CONCLUSION: although more extensive testing is needed, these findings suggest that language correlates with P300 latency, whereas verbal fluency correlates with P300 amplitude.

As dimensões cognitivas, como atenção, memória e funções executivas, podem diminuir com a idade, enquanto outras funções permanecem ou até melhoram devido a uma maior experiência de vida. OBJETIVO: analisar a relação entre processamento cognitivo, linguagem e fluência verbal em idosos atendidos em serviços de atenção básica localizados em um município do interior de São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: estudo transversal, método quantitativo. Um total de 149 idosos foram avaliados por meio de entrevistas previamente agendadas. A coleta de dados incluiu um questionário abordando dados sociodemográficos e o Exame Cognitivo de Addenbrooke - Revisado (ACE-R). O processamento cognitivo (P300) foi avaliado por meio de um dispositivo que capta potenciais elicitados em tarefas auditivas. A análise descritiva e a correlação de Spearman foram realizadas com o nível de significância estabelecido em 5%.\. RESULTADOS: foi encontrada correlação negativa entre a linguagem e a latência do P300 e uma correlação positiva entre a fluência verbal e a amplitude do P300. Tarefas de compreensão e nomeação apresentaram uma correlação negativa com a latência. A tarefa de repetição revelou correlação positiva com a amplitude do P300. CONCLUSÃO: embora testes mais extensos sejam necessários, esses achados sugerem que a correlação de linguagem com a latência e fluência do P300 está correlacionada com a amplitude do P300.

Frailty and cognitive performance of elderly in the context of social vulnerability.

Elderly who live in the context of social vulnerability have lower education and socioeconomic status. OBJECTIVE: To analyze cognitive performance as a factor associated with frailty status in elderly living in contexts of social vulnerability. METHODS: An exploratory, comparative, cross-sectional study using a quantitative method was conducted with elderly people registered at Social Assistance Reference Centers. A semi-structured interview, the Edmonton Frail Scale and Montreal Cognitive Assessment were applied. The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. To analyze the data, a logistic regression was performed considering two groups (frail and non-frail). RESULTS: 247 elderly individuals participated in the study, with a mean age of 68.52 (±SD =7.28) years and education of 1-4 years (n=133). All the elderly evaluated resided in vulnerable regions. Regarding frailty, 91 (36.8%) showed frailty at some level (mild, moderate or severe) and 216 (87.4%) had cognitive impairment. On the regression analysis, frailty was associated with number of diseases (OR:1.60; 95%CI: 1.28-1.99) and cognition (OR:0.93; 95%CI: 0.89-0.98). CONCLUSION: Identifying level of frailty and cognition in socially vulnerable elderly reinforces the need for early detection in both these conditions by the public services that provide care for this population with a focus on prevention.

Idosos que vivem em contexto de vulnerabilidade social apresentam menor escolaridade e condição socioeconômica. OBJETIVO: Analisar o desempenho cognitivo como um fator associado para nível de fragilidade em idosos residentes em contextos de vulnerabilidade social. MÉTODOS: Estudo exploratório, comparativo e transversal, com a utilização do método quantitativo realizado com idosos cadastrados em Centros de Referência de Assistência Social. Utilizou-seentrevista semi-estruturada, Escala de Fragilidade de Edmonton e Montreal Cognitive Assessment. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Para análise dos dados foi realizada regressão logística, considerando dois grupos (frágeis e não frágeis). RESULTADOS: Participaram do estudo 247 idosos, com média de idade de 68,52 (dp=7,28) anos e com escolaridade de um a quatro anos (n=133). Todos os idosos avaliados residiam em regiões com vulnerabilidade. Quanto à fragilidade, 91 (36,8%) apresentaram fragilidade em algum nível (leve, moderada ou severa) e 216 (87,4%) apresentaram comprometimento cognitivo. Na análise de regressão, houve associação da fragilidade com número de doenças (OR:1.60; 95%IC: 1.28-1.99) e cognição (OR:0.93; 95%IC: 0.89-0.98). CONCLUSÃO: Identificar o nível de fragilidade e cognição de idosos em vulnerabilidade social reforça a necessidade de detecção precoce em ambas as condições por parte dos serviços públicos que assistem essa população com foco na prevenção.