Risk of violence and functional capacity of hospitalized elderly: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk of violence associated to functional capacity and sociodemographic characteristics of hospitalized elderly. METHOD: Quantitative, cross-sectional, multicenter study conducted with elderly receiving care at university hospitals of the municipalities of João Pessoa and Campina Grande, in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. The scales Katz and Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test were applied. The data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics using Chi-squared Pearson test, Spearman correlation test, and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The participating elderly amounted to 323. The risk of violence was predominant among female elders aged 60 to 70 who are unable to read or write, live with someone, perform no labor activity, and whose income is higher than a minimum wage. Elders who were dependent for basic and instrumental activities presented a 2.11 score (Confidence Interval = 1.22-3.64; p = 0.000) and 1.70 (1.01-2.85; p = 0.044) and a higher risk of violence. CONCLUSION: Elders who depended on other people to perform both complex and basic activities are the most exposed to situations of violence.

Risk of violence and functional capacity of hospitalized elderly: a cross-sectional study / Riesgo de violencia y capacidad funcional de los ancianos hospitalizados: estudio transversal / Risco de violência e capacidade funcional de idosos hospitalizados: estudo transversal

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the risk of violence associated to functional capacity and sociodemographic characteristics of hospitalized elderly. Method: Quantitative, cross-sectional, multicenter study conducted with elderly receiving care at university hospitals of the municipalities of João Pessoa and Campina Grande, in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. The scales Katz and Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test were applied. The data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics using Chi-squared Pearson test, Spearman correlation test, and multiple logistic regression. Results: The participating elderly amounted to 323. The risk of violence was predominant among female elders aged 60 to 70 who are unable to read or write, live with someone, perform no labor activity, and whose income is higher than a minimum wage. Elders who were dependent for basic and instrumental activities presented a 2.11 score (Confidence Interval = 1.22-3.64; p = 0.000) and 1.70 (1.01-2.85; p = 0.044) and a higher risk of violence. Conclusion: Elders who depended on other people to perform both complex and basic activities are the most exposed to situations of violence.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar el riesgo de violencia asociado a la capacidad funcional y a las características sociodemográficas de los ancianos hospitalizados. Método: Estudio cuantitativo, transversal y multicéntrico, desarrollado con pacientes ancianos atendidos en hospitales universitarios de los municipios de João Pessoa y Campina Grande, en el estado de Paraíba, en Brasil. Se aplicaron la escala de Katz y el Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test. Los datos se analizaron mediante estadística descriptiva e inferencial utilizando las pruebas de chi-cuadrado de Pearson, de correlación de Spearman y la regresión logística múltiple. Resultados: Participaron 323 ancianos. El riesgo de violencia fue predominante entre las ancianas con una edad de entre 60 y 70 años, que no saben leer ni escribir, viven con alguien, no ejercen ninguna actividad laboral y tienen una renta superior a un salario mínimo. Los ancianos dependientes para las actividades básicas e instrumentales presentaron una puntuación de 2,11 (Intervalo de Confianza = 1,22-3,64; p = 0,000) y 1,70 (1,01- 2,85; p = 0,044) y un mayor riesgo de violencia. Conclusión: Los ancianos que dependen de otros para realizar tanto las actividades más complejas como las más básicas son los que están más expuestos a situaciones de violencia.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar o risco de violência associado à capacidade funcional e características sociodemográficas de idosos hospitalizados. Método: Estudo quantitativo, transversal e multicêntrico, desenvolvido com idosos atendidos em hospitais universitários dos municípios de João Pessoa e Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil. Foram aplicadas as escalas de Katz e a Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva e inferencial utilizando testes qui-quadrado de Pearson, correlação de Spearman e regressão logística múltipla. Resultados: Participaram 323 idosos. O risco de violência foi predominante entre idosas, com idade entre 60 e 70 anos, que não sabem ler e escrever, moram com alguém, não exercem atividade laboral e possuem renda acima de um salário mínimo. Os idosos dependentes para as atividades básicas e instrumentais apresentam escore de 2,11 (Intervalo de Confiança = 1,22-3,64; p = 0,000) e 1,70 (1,01-2,85; p = 0,044) e maior risco de violência. Conclusão: Os idosos que dependem de terceiros para realizar tanto as atividades mais complexas quanto as mais básicas são aqueles que estão mais expostos às situações de violência.

Frailty Syndrome: A Risk Factor Associated With Violence in Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the association between frailty syndrome as a risk factor associated with violence in older adults. METHOD: A cross-sectional study, carried out with older adults, in an emergency care unit of a northeastern Brazilian city was conducted. Three instruments were used: a form for sample characterization (i.e., demographics) and two more scales, namely, the Edmonton Frail Scale and the Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test. The results were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics, using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, Spearman's correlation test, and simple logistic regression. RESULTS: The sample included 146 older adults who were over 70 years old (56.6%), male (56.2%), and at risk of violence (69.86%). Among the categorical variables, there was an association between risk and being of a higher age (80.7%, p < 0.001), unemployed (73.7%, p < 0.05), having more than six children (80.8%, p < 0.05), and frail older adults (88.1%, p < 0.001). There was a correlation (p < 0.05) between the numerical variables of the scales of violence and frailty, with a coefficient of 0.40. The simple logistic regression model showed that frailty syndrome increases the risk of violence among older adults. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that frailty is a factor that increases the occurrence of risk of violence and provides information to guide nursing action in the field of forensic sciences.