The Impact of the Older Person's Grant Expansion on Hypertension Among Older Men in Rural South Africa: Findings From the HAALSI Cohort.

Background and Objectives: Hypertension is a major modifiable contributor to disease burden in sub-Saharan Africa. We exploited an expansion to age eligibility for men in South Africa's noncontributory public pension to assess the impact of pension eligibility on hypertension in a rural, low-income South African setting. Research Design and Methods: Data were from 1 247 men aged ≥60 in the population-representative Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa in 2014/2015. We identified cohorts of men from 0 (controls, aged ≥65 at pension expansion) through 5 years of additional pension eligibility based on their birth year. Using the modified Framingham Heart Study hypertension risk prediction model, and the Wand et al. model modified for the South African population, we estimated the difference in the probabilities of hypertension for men who benefitted from the pension expansion relative to the control. We conducted a negative control analysis among older women, who were not eligible for pension expansion, to assess the robustness of our findings. Results: Older men with 5 additional years of pension eligibility had a 6.9-8.1 percentage point greater probability of hypertension than expected without the pension expansion eligibility. After accounting for birth cohort effects through a negative control analysis involving older women reduced estimates to a 3.0-5.2 percentage point greater probability of hypertension than expected. We observed a mean 0.2 percentage point increase in the probability of hypertension per additional year of pension eligibility, but this trend was not statistically significant. Discussion and Implications: Although the Older Person's Grant is important for improving the financial circumstances of older adults and their families in South Africa, expanded pension eligibility may have a small, negative short-term effect on hypertension among older men in this rural, South African setting.

Fruit Intake and Alzheimer's Disease: Results from Mendelian Randomization.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in old age, recognized as a global health priority. To explore causal effects of fresh fruit intake and dried fruit intake on AD liability, this study utilized GWAS from the UK Biobank and FinnGen to conduct Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, and used inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median approaches for MR estimates, and visual inspections judged result stability. Results suggested little evidence of a potential causal relationship between fresh fruit intake and AD (OR=0.97, 95%CI=0.50-1.91, P=0.939), while significant, robust causality was indicated between dried fruit intake and AD (OR=4.09, 95%CI=2.07-8.10, P<0.001). Stability evaluations showed no heterogeneity or pleiotropy affecting interpretability and credibility of primary analyses. In conclusion, we strengthened evidence for positive causality from dried fruit intake to AD liability, with causality from fresh fruit intake on AD risk was not demonstrated.

Underestimated Cervical Cancer among Women over 65 Years Old: Is It Time to Revise the Screening Target Age Group? / Câncer cervical subestimado entre mulheres com mais de 65 anos: É hora de rever a faixa etária alvo do rastreamento?

Abstract Objective To compare cytological and histological results from women > 64 years old who followed the Brazilian national cervical cancer screening guidelines with those who did not. Methods The present observational retrospective study analyzed 207 abnormal cervical smear results from women > 64 years old in a mid-sized city in Brazil over 14 years. All results were reported according to the Bethesda System. The women were divided into those who followed the screening guidelines and those who did not. Results Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cytology results were found in 128 (62.2%) cases. Of these, 112 (87.5%) had repeated cytology with positive results. The other 79 (38.1%) with abnormal results should have been referred to colposcopy and biopsy. Out of 41 (51.9%) biopsied women, 23 (29.1%) had a confirmed diagnosis of neoplasia or precursor lesion. In contrast, among the 78 (37.7%) biopsied patients, 40 (51.3%) followed the guideline recommendations, with 9 (22.5%) positive biopsies. Of the 38 (48.7%) women who did not follow the guidelines, there were 24 (63.1%) positive results. Women who did not follow the guidelines demonstrated higher chances of cancer and precursor lesions (odds ratio [OR]: 5.904; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.188-15.932; p = 0.0002). Conclusion Women > 64 years old who did not follow the national screening protocol showed significant differences in the frequency of abnormal results and severity of diagnosis compared with those who followed the protocol.

Resumo Objetivo Comparar os resultados citológicos e histológicos de mulheres > 64 anos que seguiram as diretrizes nacionais brasileiras de rastreamento do câncer do colo do útero com aquelas que não as seguiram. Método O presente estudo observacional retrospectivo analisou 207 resultados anormais de esfregaço cervical de mulheres > 64 anos de idade em uma cidade de médio porte no Brasil durante 14 anos. Todos os resultados foram relatados de acordo com o Sistema Bethesda. As mulheres foram divididas entre as que seguiram as diretrizes de rastreamento e as que não o fizeram. Resultados Resultados citológicos com células escamosas atípicas de significado indeterminado e lesão intraepitelial escamosa de baixo grau foram encontrados em 128 (62,2%) casos. Destes, 112 (87,5%) repetiram a citologia com resultados positivos. Os outros 79 (38,1%) com resultados anormais deveriam ter sido encaminhados para colposcopia e biópsia. Das 41 (51,9%) mulheres biopsiadas, 23 (29,1%) tiveram diagnóstico confirmado de neoplasia ou lesão precursora. Em contrapartida, entre as 78 (37,7%) pacientes biopsiadas, 40 (51,3%) seguiram as recomendações da diretriz, com 9 (22,5%) biópsias positivas. Entre as 38 (48,7%) mulheres que não seguiram as orientações, houve 24 (63,1%) resultados positivos. As mulheres que não seguiram as diretrizes demonstraram maiores chances de câncer e lesões precursoras (odds ratio [OR]: 5,904; intervalo de confiança [IC] de 95%: 2,188-15,932; p = 0,0002). Conclusão Mulheres > 64 anos que não seguiram a diretriz nacional de rastreamento apresentaram diferenças significativas na frequência de resultados anormais e gravidade do diagnóstico em comparação com aquelas que seguiram a diretriz.

Climate Change and Aging Health in Developing Countries.

The climate of the Earth has changed throughout history. Climate change negatively impacts human rights in a wide range of ways. The study aims to find out the impact of climate change on aging health in developing countries. The study found that public health will be devastated if climate change continues unabated. Countries that are least responsible for global warming are most susceptible to the effects of higher temperatures, such as death and disease. In low- and middle-income countries, disasters are more likely to happen to people aged 60 and over. Although climate change affects all of us, older people are especially at risk from it, as evidenced by a growing body of research. The study also offers countermeasures and suggestions to develop aging health in developing countries affected by climate change.

Usefulness of Vitamin D Deficiency Questionnaire for Japanese (VDDQ-J) for Screening of Vitamin D Deficiency and Low Muscle Mass in Relatively Healthy Japanese Anti-Aging Health Checkup Examinees.

The Vitamin D Deficiency Questionnaire for Japanese (VDDQ-J) has been developed as an alternative indicator of the vitamin D nutritional status when serum 25(OH)D measurement is unavailable. In the present study, we compared the usefulness of the VDDQ-J with that of serum 25(OH)D concentration and examined the relationship among vitamin D, DXA-based body composition, and muscle strength in 163 anti-aging health check examinees. The median age, 25(OH)D concentration and VDDQ-J score were 62.0 y, 20.1 ng/mL and 22.0 points, respectively. In total, 47.9% of the subjects had serum 25(OH)D concentrations of <20 ng/mL. The VDDQ-J score was significantly negatively correlated with the serum 25(OH)D concentration, and the positive predictive value for vitamin D deficiency was 86.3%. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 6.1%. Low 25(OH)D levels and high VDDQ-J scores were significantly associated with low muscle mass in both univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. The serum 25(OH)D level showed a significant negative correlation with body fat mass. The VDDQ-J score was selected as a significant determinant of low skeletal muscle mass index (<7.0 kg/m2 for men and <5.4 kg/m2 for women) by a multiple logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, the present study showed that a low vitamin D nutritional status as indicated by both low 25(OH)D levels, and high VDDQ-J scores was associated with low muscle mass and the VDDQ-J is considered useful not only for the detection of vitamin D deficiency but also in the screening of individuals with low muscle mass and a high risk of sarcopenia.

Strengthening the Public Health Partnership and Telehealth Infrastructure to Reduce Health Care Disparities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgency to focus on the essential value of public health systems (PHSs) in fostering health equity across the US health care delivery system. PHS integration and care coordination can be successfully achieved through health information technology systems. The objective of the study was to examine the association between PHS partnerships (PHSPs), telehealth postdischarge, and racial and ethnic disparities in health care. The analysis used 2017 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Medicare 100% inpatient claims data, the Medicare Beneficiary Summary File, the American Hospital Association Annual Survey, and the American Community Survey. Results showed that compared with those treated in hospitals with neither PHSP nor telehealth postdischarge services, beneficiaries treated in hospitals with PHSP encountered significantly lower Medicare payment and inpatient and readmission rates. Black patients experienced significantly lower cost, inpatient visits, and readmission rates when treated in hospitals with PHSP and telehealth postdischarge services (coefficient = -0.051, P < 0.001; incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.982, P = 0.007; IRR = 0.891, P = 0.003). The results of the study demonstrated the importance of combining PHSP and telehealth postdischarge services to improve the efficiency of the health care delivery system and health equity. It is urgent to ensure that PHSs have adequate funding and telehealth infrastructure to support population health.

Changes in Health-Related Quality of Life and Physical Activity Among Older Adults in the First-Wave COVID-19 Outbreak: A Longitudinal Analysis.

The current study aimed to follow the effects of social/physical distancing strategies on health-related daily physical activity and quality of life among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventy-two older adults who were enrolled in a University-Community program in March 2020 (age = 66.8 ± 4.82 years, ♀59) answered five phone-based surveys up to 120 days after the COVID-19 outbreak (from April to August 2020). The Short Form 6D and international physical activity (short version) questionnaires were applied. A significant reduction was observed in daily physical activity levels, metabolic equivalent of task, and health-related quality of life scores as well as an increase in sitting time during the week and on weekend days (all p < .01). The authors noted differences in lifestyle conditions at the beginning of the social/physical distancing in the community assessed (p < .01). Health vulnerabilities among older adults have been emphasized during the COVID-19 outbreak, impacting daily physical activity and health-related quality of life.

Are treatment effects consistent with hypothesized mechanisms of action proposed for postoperative delirium interventions? Reanalysis of systematic reviews.

Aim: Postoperative delirium (POD) is associated with increased morbidity and is poorly understood. The aim of this review was to identify putative mechanisms through re-analysis of randomized trials on treatment or prevention of POD. Materials & methods: A systematic review was performed to identify systematic reviews of treatments for POD. Constituent randomized controlled trials were identified, and interventions were grouped according to hypothesized mechanisms of action. Effects were meta-analyzed by hypothesized mechanism and timing of intervention. Results: A total of 116 randomized controlled trials described 47 individual interventions for POD, with nine mechanisms identified. The largest effects were observed for postoperative inflammation reduction, and preoperative reinforcement of sleep-wake cycle. Conclusion: This approach identifies treatments focused on mechanisms of action that may be front runners for future trials and interventions.

Polypharmacy and Incident Frailty in a Longitudinal Community-Based Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: Polypharmacy may affect frailty, a common and costly condition among older adults. Frailty prevalence is elevated among racial/ethnic minorities and persons living in the US South, and research is needed to inform future pharmacologic interventions in these populations. Our aim was to quantify the prevalence of frailty and polypharmacy, and to estimate the association between polypharmacy and incident frailty. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: A community-based cohort study of adults residing in Johnston County, North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: White and African American adults aged 50 to 95 years (n=1697). MEASUREMENTS: At each study visit, all prescription and over-the-counter medications were recorded. We calculated annual polypharmacy (5-9 medications) and excessive polypharmacy (≥10 medications) prevalence at the 2006-2010 visit (n = 1697) and operationalized the Fried frailty phenotype to describe prevalent and incident frailty at two consecutive visits (2006-2010 and 2013-2015). We estimated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between polypharmacy and incident frailty using weighted log-binomial regression to account for measured confounding and attrition using inverse probability of treatment and attrition weights, respectively. RESULTS: At the 2006-2010 visit, 678 (41%) and 260 (16%) participants were exposed to polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy, respectively. Overall, 353 (21%) participants and 180 (21%) participants were frail at the 2006-2010 and 2013-2015 visits, respectively. Frailty was more common among participants identifying as white, women, and having less educational attainment relative to those without these characteristics. Incident frailty at the 2013-2015 visit was 15% (mean follow-up = 5.5 years). Our results suggest that polypharmacy is positively associated with incident frailty (weighted RR = 1.4; 95% CI = .9-2.0), yet estimates are imprecise and should be interpreted with caution. CONCLUSION: Consistent with the current weight of evidence, our results suggest an association between polypharmacy and incident frailty. Prospective studies evaluating deprescribing interventions are needed to clarify whether reducing polypharmacy decreases frailty incidence. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2482-2489, 2019.

[Overview of human resources for health composition in the most mobile specialty groups in Hungary]. / Helyzetkép az elvándorlásban érintett orvosi szakterületek hazai humáneroforrás-ellátottságáról.

Introduction: The Human Resources for Health (HRH) mobility and migration are considered as global phenomena. The European Union often faces the mobility of health professionals on a system level. Hungary is recognised among the sending countries, therefore both international and national level health workforce monitoring, planning, and forecasting are inevitable. Aim: The purpose of this research was to investigate the national demographical profiles of the medical professions affected most significantly by the Hungarian HRH mobility process. Method: Age and regional distribution analyses of the requests for degree certificate issued by the National Healthcare Services Centre were carried out between the years of 2010 and 2017. Results: In Hungary, the rate of mobility - the number of requests for degree certificate among the licensed to practice professionals - resulted in the following: the highest rate was detected in anaesthesiology and intensive therapy with 23.5%, in surgery 17.9%, then internal medicine 7.9%, paediatrics 7.4%, and in general practice 6.4%. According to the results, in the 5 above mentioned professions, the physicians most affected by mobility are mostly from the age cohort of 50+. Furthermore, the results also highlight the territorial inequalities: the region of the capital as well as the medical university towns and counties are in the most favourable situation in terms of professional care and supply. Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that in the case of the 5 investigated subspecialties, not only the overall age of the physicians is higher in the disadvantaged areas, but these regions also have to face a more severe shortage of specialists. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(31): 1223-1230.

Uric acid, ferritin and γ-glutamyltransferase can be informative in prediction of the oxidative stress.

The anti-oxidant system is affected not only by aging but also many lifestyle factors. We aimed to clarify the determinants of medical check-up items affecting the anti-oxidant system. We studied 959 Japanese individuals who underwent anti-aging health check-ups (mean age: 61.1 years) at Tokai University from 2006 to 2016. As parameters of oxidative stress, we measured serum total anti-oxidant status, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, and isoprostane. Anti-aging health check-up data and lifestyle information were collected from participants in this study. Step-wise multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify determinants that influence serum total anti-oxidant status, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, and isoprostane, respectively. Serum total anti-oxidant status was significantly correlated with uric acid, vitamin A, folate, and valine. 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine was significantly correlated with age, ferritin, drinking habit, and vitamin Eα. Isoprostane was significantly correlated with vitamin Eα, γ-glutamyltransferase, ferritin, and smoking habit. The strong antioxidant powers of uric acid and vitamins were confirmed. It was suggested that branched-chain amino acids themselves such as valine or peptides containing them may possess antioxidant ability because of its strong correlation. Uric acid, ferritin, and γ-glutamyltransferase, which are common items measured in medical checkups, can be informative in predicting the oxidative stress situation in a general medical examination.

Inserção de pessoas na maturidade na educação superior / Insertion of people in maturity in college education

Objetivo: comparar a inserção das pessoas maduras (≥40 anos) na educação superior - ES no Brasil com o crescimento desta população no período de 2011/2016. Método: Foram utilizados dados públicos do censo da educação superior de 2011 a 2016 do INEP/MEC. Os dados populacionais dos grupos etários investigados para o mesmo período foram obtidos no sítio do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Resultados: O índice de envelhecimento aumentou quase 30%, enquanto as matrículas na ES de pessoas maduras aumentaram mais do que a população deste grupo etário, sendo o maior aumento na faixa acima de 60 anos. As instituições privadas responderam por 4/5 das matrículas. Conclusões: a inclusão de pessoas na maturidade na ES pode contribuir para o processo de promoção de sua saúde.

Objective: we compared the insertion of mature persons (≥40 years) in higher education - HE in Brazil with the growth of this population in the period of 2011/2016. Method: Public data of the INEP/MEC census of higher education from 2011 to 2016 was used. The population data of the age groups investigated for the same period was obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Results: The aging index increased by almost 30%, but enrollments in the HE of mature people increased more than the population of this age group, and the largest increase being in the range over 60 years. Private institutions accounted for 4/5 enrollments. Conclusion: The inclusion of people at maturity in HE can contribute to the process of promoting their health.

O perfil do idoso na Atenção Primária à Saúde em uma cidade média do Brasil / The profile of the elderly in Primary Health Care of a middle city Brazil / El perfil del anciano en la Atención Primaria a la Salud en una ciudad media de Brasil

Objetivou-se analisar o perfil do idoso na Atenção Primária à Saúde em uma cidade média do Brasil. Estudo transversal com 162 idosos. Observou-se maioria de mulheres, média de idade avançada, renda per capita reduzida, alta prevalência de doenças cardiovasculares e que a maior parte conseguiu atendimento no último contato com a unidade de saúde. A realidade que circunscreve o idoso atendido na Atenção Primária à Saúde é permeada por aspectos positivos e negativos.

The aim of this study was to describe the profile about the elderly in Primary Health Care in Brazilian meddle city. Cross-sectional study with 162 participants. It was verified that majority of women, advanced age, reduced per capita income, high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and most of them obtained service on the last on the last attempt. The reality that circumscribes the elderly connected with primary health care is permeated by positive and negative aspects.

Este estudio objetivó analizar el perfil de anciano en la Atención Primaria a la Salud en una ciudad media de Brasil. Estudio transversal con 162 ancianos. Se observó mayoría de mujeres, promedio de edad avanzada, renta per cápita reducida, alta prevalencia de enfermedades cardiovasculares y la mayor parte consiguió la atención en el último contacto con la unidad de salud. La realidad que circunscribe al anciano atendido en la Atención Primaria a la Salud es caracterizado por aspectos positivos y negativos.

Vivências acadêmicas e ações de promoção da saúde em uma instituição de longa permanência para idosos: relato de experiência fonoaudiológica / Academic experiences and health promotion actions in a long-term care institution for elderly: speech-language pathology experience report / Experiencias académicas y acciónes de promoción de salud en una institución de larga estancia para ancianos: relato de experiencia en fonoaudiología

A mudança da pirâmide etária brasileira, com o aumento da população idosa, é um aspecto que se evidencia ao longo dos anos. A Instituição de Longa Permanência para Idosos (ILPI) pode ser um equipamento social como possível alternativa para o cuidado de algumas pessoas que envelhecem. Neste contexto, pode-se encontrar na formação de grupos, o fortalecimento do sujeito frente às adversidades em prol de uma melhor qualidade de vida, a qual pode se dar por meio da realização de atividades à promoção da saúde. Este trabalho tem o objetivo de descrever aspectos relativos às atividades em grupo de idosos de uma ILPI do sul do país. Foram realizadas atividades semanais com 20 idosos residentes na ILPI, totalizando 12 encontros. Pode-se observar predomínio do sexo masculino. As ações foram realizadas por meio de rodas de conversa, cantigas e confecção de materiais em conjunto, sendo parte das ações com enfoque ao aspecto lúdico. Buscou-se realizar a estimulação cognitiva, da comunicação, expressividade e do convívio social. Ao longo dos encontros observou-se crescente motivação dos residentes no envolvimento do que era proposto, bem como a aproximação dos profissionais da ILPI com as condutoras das atividades. A atuação fonoaudiológica se deu ao ampliar o olhar além do aspecto técnico, mas voltado à promoção da saúde do idoso.

The change of the Brazilian age pyramid, with the increase of the elderly population, is an aspect that is evident over the years. The Long Stay Institution for the Elderly (LSIE) can be a social structure as a possible alternative for the care of some old aging people. In this context, it can be found in the group formation, the strengthening of the subject in face of adversities in favor of a better quality of life that can be possible by carrying out activities to promote health. This paper aims to describe aspects related to the aged group activities in a LSIE located in the south of the country. Weekly activities were carried out with 20 LSIE residents, totaling 12 meetings. It was possible to observe a predominance of the male gender. The actions were performed by the execution of activities like conversation groups, songs and elaboration of handmade products together, being the most part of those activities focused in the playful aspect. It was attempted performing the cognitive stimulation, communication, expressivity and social interaction as well. Throughout the meetings, there was a growing motivation of the residents in the involvement of what was proposed, as well as the approximation of the LSIE professionals with the activities conductors. The speech-language pathology took place by widening the look beyond the technical aspect, but facing the elderly health promotion.

El cambio de la pirámide etaria brasileña, con el aumento de la población anciana, es un aspecto que se evidencia a lo largo de los años. La Institución de Larga Permanencia para Ancianos (ILPA), puede ser un equipo social como posible alternativa para el cuidado de algunas personas que envejecen. En este contexto, se puede encontrar en la formación de grupos, el fortalecimiento del sujeto frente a las adversidades en favor de una mejor calidad de vida que puede darse por medio de la realización de actividades a la promoción de la salud. Este articulo tiene por objetivo describir aspectos relativos a las actividades en grupo de ancianos de una ILPA del sur del país. Fueran realizadas atividades semanales con 20 ancianos residentes en la ILPA, con um total de 12 encuentros. Fue posible observar el predominio del sexo masculino. Las acciones fueron realizadas por medio de ruedas de conversa, canciones y confección de materiales en conjunto, siendo parte de las acciones con enfoque al aspecto lúdico. Se buscó realizar la estimulación cognitiva, de la comunicación, expresividad y del convivio social. A lo largo de los encuentros se observó una creciente motivación de los residentes en la participación de lo propuesto, así como la aproximación de los profesionales de la ILPA con las conductas de las actividades. La actuación fonoaudiológica se dio al ampliar la mirada más allá del aspecto técnico, pero orientado a la promoción de la salud del anciano.

Effect of frailty on resource use and cost for Medicare patients.

Aim: The effects of frailty and multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) on cost of care are rarely disentangled in archival data studies. We identify the marginal contribution of frailty to medical care cost estimates using Medicare data. Materials & methods: Use of the Faurot frailty score to identify differences in acute medical events and cost of care for patients, controlling for MCCs and medication use. Results: Estimated marginal cost of frailty was US$10,690 after controlling for demographics, comorbid conditions, polypharmacy and use of potentially inappropriate medications. Conclusion: Frailty contributes greatly to cost of care, but while often correlated, is not synonymous with MCCs. Thus, it is important to control separately for frailty in studies that compare medical care use and cost.

O envelhecimento ativo e sua interface com os determinantes sociais da saúde / Active aging and its interface with social determinants of health

OBJETIVO: Analisar a relação entre o envelhecimento ativo e os determinantes sociais da saúde em idosos residentes em uma área coberta por serviço de Atenção Primária à Saúde. MÉTODO: Desenho seccional, trabalhando-se com as variáveis de exposição do modelo esquemático de Dahlgren e Whitehead e a variável desfecho envelhecimento ativo construída por meio da Análise de Classes Latentes. O envelhecimento foi categorizado como muito, médio e pouco ativo. Para análise dos dados utilizou-se a regressão multinomial, método forward. RESULTADOS: Participaram do estudo 155 idosos, a maioria classificada na categoria de envelhecimento muito ativo. Idade avançada apresentou maior chance para envelhecimento pouco ativo (OR = 5,72) e médio ativo (OR = 3,27). Não ter convívio familiar (OR = 3,90) e ter menos de 4 anos de estudo (OR = 2,90) apresentaram-se como fatores de risco para envelhecimento médio ativo. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo demonstrou que ter idade avançada, não ter convívio familiar e ter menos de quatro anos de estudo estiveram associados a uma maior chance de idosos atendidos pela Estratégia Saúde da Família apresentarem baixos níveis de envelhecimento ativo. Sugere-se que os referidos fatores sejam levados em consideração no direcionamento de políticas públicas voltadas ao envelhecimento ativo.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between active aging and social determinants of health in older people living in the catchment area of a primary health care facility. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess exposure variables of the schematic model by Dahlgren and Whitehead; the outcome variable active aging was created by means of latent class analysis. Participants were categorized as highly, moderately, and minimally active. Data analysis was performed using a forward multinomial regression model. RESULTS: Overall, 155 elderly people participated in the study, most of them classified as highly active. Older subjects had a higher chance for being minimally active (OR = 5.72) and moderately active (OR = 3.27). Lack of a family life (OR = 3.90) and education level of 4 years or less (OR = 2.90) were shown to be risk factors for moderate levels of active aging. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that advanced age, lack of family life, and an education level of 4 years or less were associated with a higher chance for elderly attending Family Health Strategy units to present low levels of active aging. It is suggested that these factors should be taken into account when directing public policies aimed at active aging.

Equipamentos das academias da terceira idade: influência sobre o comportamento da pressão arterial e da frequência cardíaca de idosos / Equipment in senior gyms: influence on the behavior of blood pressure and heart rate of elderlies

Objetivo: Analisar o comportamento da pressão arterial e da frequência cardíaca de idosos praticantes de exercícios físicos em academias da terceira idade de Maringá, Paraná. Método: Foram avaliados 70 idosos voluntários, sendo 41 mulheres e 29 homens, com idade média de 67,2 ± 6,6 e 65,9 ± 12,3 anos, respectivamente. Realizaram três minutos de exercício nos equipamentos selecionados, avaliados por meio de um frequencímetro e pelo método auscultatório, com auxílio de um esfigmomanômetro. Resultados: Os valores elevados de frequência cardíaca foram registrados no multiexercitador. Quer seja na frequência cardíaca, quer seja na pressão arterial, houve diferenças significantes nas médias dos valores encontrados na avaliação inicial, comparadas às médias da avaliação final (p < 0,05). Conclusões: A pressão arterial eleva-se dentro dos limites fisiológicos estabelecidos para os idosos, podendo tais atividades serem consideradas seguras para essa população.

Objective: To analyze the behavior of blood pressure and heart rate in elderly people practicing physical exercises in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil. Methods: 70 elderly volunteers were evaluated, 41 women and 29 men, with a mean age of 67.2 ± 6.6 and 65.9 ± 12.3 years, respectively. They performed three minutes of exercise on the selected equipment, evaluated by means of a frequency meter and by the auscultatory method, with the aid of a sphygmomanometer. Results: High heart rate values were recorded in the multi-exerciser. In both the heart rate and the blood pressure, there were significant differences in the means of the values found in the initial evaluation, compared to the means of the final evaluation (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Blood pressure rises within the physiological limits established for the elderly, and these activities may be considered safe for this population.

Impacto clínico, socioeconômico e da autopercepção de saúde na funcionalidade de idosos / Impact of clinical and socio-economic factors and self-perception of health on the functionality of the elderly

Objetivos: Verificar fatores determinantes dos níveis de funcionalidade em idosos brasileiros. Método: Análise secundária da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS), de 2013, realizada pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). A relação entre os níveis de funcionalidade e as características sociodemográficas e clínicas foi testada pela regressão linear, ajustada pela autopercepção de saúde (APS), por meio do programa Epi Info™, versão 7.2.1, aceitando p < 0,05. A funcionalidade foi avaliada por meio de um escore de funcionalidade desenvolvido a partir das questões da PNS. Resultados: As análises univariadas revelavam que, exceto a raça, todas as variáveis socioeconômicas e clínicas tinham relação significativa com a facilidade em atividades básicas (ABVD) e instrumentais (AIVD) de vida diária. Nas análises de regressão linear múltiplas, as variáveis mais significativas foram idade, APS, acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) e doença mental (p < 0,001). A APS explicou significativamente as diferenças nos níveis de AIVD (5,1%, p < 0,01) e ABVD (3,4%, p < 0,01) mesmo controlando-se a análise pelas outras variáveis. O AVC e a doença mental foram relacionados com menores escores de funcionalidade, tanto em AIVD (respectivamente, 20,5%, p < 0,01 e 19,1%, p < 0,01) quanto ABVD (respectivamente, 13,5%, p < 0,01 e 7,6%, p < 0,01). Conclusão: Os níveis de funcionalidade dos idosos puderam ser explicados tanto por fatores constitucionais (idade), quanto por variáveis modificáveis (AVC, doença mental e autopercepção de saúde), muitos dos quais ainda com grande impacto na morbimortalidade brasileira. O destaque da APS sugere que ela pode ser um indicador da qualidade do acompanhamento de saúde dos idosos brasileiros.

Objectives: Our objective was to verify factors determining the functional level of Brazilian elderly people. Method: This is a secondary analysis of the 2013 National Health Survey (NHS) conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). The association between functional levels and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics was tested by linear regression adjusted for self-perception of health (SPH) using the Epi Info™ program version 7.2.1. P-values lower than 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant. Functionality was assessed by a functional score developed based on the NHS questions. Results: Univariate analyses revealed that, except for ethnicity, all socio-economic and clinical variables were significantly related to ease of performing basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Upon multiple linear regression analysis, the most significant variables were age, SPH, stroke, and mental illness (p < 0.001). SPH significantly explained the differences in IADL (5.1%, p < 0.01) and BADL (3.4%, p < 0.01) levels even when controlling for the other variables. Stroke and mental illness were related to lower functional scores, both in IADL (20.5%, p < 0.01 and 19.1%, p < 0.01, respectively) and in BADL (13.5%, p < 0.01 and 7.6%, p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: The functional status of the elderly could be explained by constitutional factors (age) and modifiable variables (stroke, mental illness, and SPH), many of which still have a great impact on Brazilian morbidity and mortality. The highlight of SPH suggests that it may be an indicator of health care quality for the Brazilian elderly.

Effectiveness of a physical exercise intervention program in improving functional mobility in older adults after hip fracture in later stage rehabilitation: protocol of a randomized clinical trial (REATIVE Study).

BACKGROUND: Hip fractures resulting from falls increase substantially with advancing age and less than half of older hip fracture survivors regain their former levels of mobility. There is increasing evidence that rehabilitation interventions with exercises that goes beyond the sub-acute phase or even in a later stage of care have a positive impact on various functional abilities. The purpose of this study is to determine if exercise program training for people who have suffered a fall-related hip fracture will improve functional mobility when compared with usual care. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with blinded assessors and intention-to-treat analysis will be undertaken. We will recruit 82 older adults, 60 years or over who have suffered a hip fracture due to a fall in the previous 6 to 24 months. Participants randomized to the Intervention Group (IG) will undertake a physical exercise program involving progressive and challenging balance training and neuromuscular and functional training of the lower limbs, conducted at home by physiotherapists, once a week, lasting about one hour, in the first, second and third month after randomization and will be taught to perform exercises at home, twice a week, using a booklet. Visits to monitor and progress the home exercise program will be conducted once a month, from the fourth to the sixth month and each 2 months until the end of the follow up at the 12th month, i.e., a total of 18 sessions. Participants will receive monthly phone calls to encourage exercise adherence. The control group will receive usual care. The primary outcome will be mobility-related disability and participants will be assessed at baseline, and at 3 months, 6 and 12 months. Participants will receive monthly phone calls to ask about falls and exercise adherence. Adverse effects will be monitored. DISCUSSION: This study proposes a home-based exercise program, which may in part overcome some barriers for rehabilitation, such as difficulties with public transportation and lack of a caregiver to accompany older patients to sessions. If a positive effect is observed this program has the potential to be incorporated into the public health system and contribute to building a pathway of care for older people with hip fracture. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02295527 .

O envelhecimento das pessoas idosas que vivem em situação de rua na cidade de Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil / Ageing of elderly living in street situation in Porto Alegre City, RS, Brasil / El envejecimiento de las personas mayores que viven en situación de calle en la ciudad de Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil

O aumento da população idosa em situação de rua é um fenômeno atual, que exige reestruturação de programas públicos. Este estudo utiliza método qualitativo de pesquisa, e tem o objetivo de compreender como ocorre o envelhecimento nas ruas. Os resultados mostram as vulnerabilidades de envelhecer diante da exposição ao frio, à fome, à violência e à invisibilidade social.

The increase in the elderly population in street situation is a current phenomenon that requires restructuring of public programs. This study uses qualitative research method and aims to understand how aging occurs in the streets. The results show the vulnerability of age exposed to cold, hunger, violence and social invisibility. It is a challenge to offer specific services to population with actions that can leverage off the streets.

El aumento de la población de personas mayores en situación de calle es un fenómeno actual que requiere la reestructuración de programas públicos. Este estudio utiliza el método de investigación cualitativa y tiene como objetivo comprender cómo el envejecimiento se produce en las calles. Los resultados muestran la vulnerabilidad de la edad expuesta al frío, el hambre, la violencia y la invisibilidad social. Es un desafío ofrecer servicios específicos para esa población, con acciones que puedan apalancar la salida de la situación de calle.