Association between telomere length and anorexia of ageing: a cross-sectional study conducted with community-dwelling older people.

BACKGROUND: To verify whether shorter telomere length is associated with anorexia of ageing in community-dwelling older people. METHODS: Conducted as a cross-sectional investigation, the study enrolled 448 participants residing in an urban area of a municipality in Brazil. Relative telomere length in blood samples was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), whereas the presence of anorexia of ageing was determined using the Simplified Appetite Nutritional Questionnaire. Data analysis employed multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Among the 448 older individuals surveyed, 70.69% were female, and the predominant age bracket ranged from 60 to 69 years (45.08%). Approximately 25% exhibited the shortest telomeric length, with a corresponding anorexia of ageing prevalence of 41.16%. Older individuals with diminished telomere lengths displayed an increased likelihood of experiencing anorexia of ageing (odds ratio [OR] = 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12-3.29), independent of factors such as gender, age group, depressive symptoms, pain and performance in basic daily life activities. CONCLUSIONS: The observed association between anorexia of ageing and a telomeric biomarker underscores the imperative to meticulously evaluate the nutritional dimensions of older people, with a view to implementing interventions that may enhance their overall health status.

Higher hemoglobin levels are associated with better physical performance among older adults without anemia: a longitudinal analysis.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is the most common hematological abnormality among older adults, and it is associated with decreased physical performance. But the role of hemoglobin in the absence of anemia remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to assess the impact of hemoglobin levels on physical performance in Brazilian older adults without anemia. METHODS: The study is longitudinal in that it relies on two waves of the Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento (SABE; Health, Well-being, and Aging) study: 2010 and 2015-2016. Mixed-effects linear regression was used to determine the effects of the hemoglobin concentrations on the Short Physical Performance Battery-SPPB over time among the 1,023 who had complete data and did not have anemia in 2010. In the follow-up, there were 567 without anemia. RESULTS: In analyses adjusted for age, education, comorbidities, body mass index, and physical inactivity, we found a differential association between hemoglobin concentration and SBBP by sex, with a positive interaction (ß Hb*female= 0.20, 95% CI 0.04,0.37). At lower levels of hemoglobin, women have lower levels of SPPB than men, but at higher levels of hemoglobin concentration, there are no sex differences in physical performance. In addition, higher age was negatively associated with SPPB levels and cardiometabolic diseases, other diseases, and physical inactivity. Education was positively associated with physical performance. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that higher hemoglobin levels were associated with better physical performance among older adults without anemia in Brazil. However, there were sex differences in this association. This finding is important because, in clinical practice, most health professionals focus on the World Health Organization definition of anemia. Our study suggests the importance of hemoglobin levels among older adults, even those without anemia, and highlights sex differences.

Association of Food Consumption According to the Degree of Processing and Sociodemographic Conditions in Older Adults.

Several factors can impact food consumption in older adults, including those of sociodemographic, physiological, and chronic non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the association of food consumption according to its degree of processing with sociodemographic conditions in community-dwelling older adults. Food intake was evaluated from 24-h recall data. All food items were classified according to the degree of processing into four groups as follows: in natura or minimally processed, culinary ingredients, processed, and ultra-processed foods. Food groups were considered dependent variables in a quantile regression model, adjusting for sex, age, schooling, ethnicity, and number of residents. Women and individuals with higher levels of education had lower consumption of in natura or minimally processed foods and higher consumption of ultra-processed foods. The yellow or indigenous ethnicity presented the lowest consumption of processed foods; older people who lived with three or more individuals had the highest consumption of culinary ingredients, whereas the older people who lived with one to two people had the highest consumption of processed foods and the lowest consumption of ultra-processed. These groups may be the target of educational and public policies to improve diet quality and contribute to quality of life in older ages.

Depressive symptoms and sleep in aged caregivers in a context of high social vulnerability.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between depressive symptoms and sleep quality in aged caregivers of elderly people, in a context of high social vulnerability. METHODS: A Cross-sectional study conducted between July 2019 and March 2020 with 65 aged caregivers of elderly people that were treated in five Family Heath Units from São Carlos, São Paulo. Instruments to characterize the caregivers and to evaluate the depressive symptoms and sleep quality were used in data collection. The Kruskal Wallis and Spearman Correlation tests were adopted. RESULTS: 73.9% of the caregivers presented poor sleep quality and 69.2% did not have depressive symptoms. In the caregivers with severe depressive symptoms, the mean sleep quality score was 11.4; in those with mild depressive symptoms, it was 9.0; and in those without depressive symptoms, it was 6.4. There was a direct and moderate correlation between sleep quality and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between depressive symptoms and sleep quality in aged caregivers.

[The elderly with cognitive alterations in the context of poverty: a study of the social support network]. / Idosos com alteração cognitiva em contexto de pobreza: estudando a rede de apoio social.

The objective of this study was to analyze the structure and role of social support networks for the elderly with cognitive alterations, who lived in a context of high or very high social vulnerability, and identify the associations between the characteristics of the networks and functional capacity. The participants were 38 aged individuals living in a context of high or very high social vulnerability whose score on the Mini-Mental State Examination was below the cut-off point. All ethical considerations were observed. The following were administered: Mini-Mental State Examination, Convoy of Social Support, Katz Index, and Pfeffer Questionnaire. The results show that the elderly participants have a large social network, with most members in their inner circle, but only a few of the members play functional roles. A correlation was observed between the gender variable and the number of social network members. No significant correlation was observed between network characteristics and the functional capacity of the elderly.

Vitamin D insufficiency and factors associated: a study with older adults people from primary health care network. / Insuficiência de vitamina D e fatores associados: um estudo com idosos assistidos por serviços de atenção básica à saúde.

This article aims to analyze vitamin D insufficiency and factors associated among older adults using primary health care services. This is a cross-sectional study that evaluated 533 older adults individuals (≥ 60 years old) in three cities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) was evaluated by chemiluminescence. The factors evaluated were sociodemographic information (sex, age group, ethnicity, education, income, marital status), health conditions (reported diseases), body composition (BMI, waist circumference), lifestyle (physical activity and smoking), and sun exposure (purpose, duration, frequency, time of exposure, exposed body parts, use of sunscreen, skin type). The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was 64.5%, presenting association with female participants, non-white/unreported ethnicity, low weight, high waist circumference (risk for CVD - cardiovascular disease), and physical inactivity. Negative association was observed with habitual sun exposure of hands, arms and legs, during leisure activities, daily commuting and physical activity, and between 9 am and 3 pm. The findings show the relevance of factors such as sex, ethnicity, body composition, physical activity, and sun exposure habits in the high prevalence of inadequate levels of vitamin D among older adults.

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a insuficiência de vitamina D e fatores associados em idosos assistidos na atenção primária à saúde. Trata-se de um estudo transversal que avaliou 533 idosos (≥ 60 anos) em três cidades do estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Foi avaliada a 25-hidroxivitamina D (25 OH D) sérica por quimioluminescência. Os fatores avaliados foram condições sociodemográficas (sexo, faixa etária, etnia, escolaridade, renda, estado civil), de saúde (doenças referidas), composição corporal (IMC, circunferência da cintura), estilo de vida (atividade física e tabagismo) e exposição solar (finalidade, duração, frequência e horário de exposição, partes expostas, uso de protetor solar, tipo de pele). A prevalência de insuficiência foi de 64,5%, com associação para sexo feminino, etnia não brancos/não declarados, baixo peso, circunferência da cintura elevada (risco para DCV) e inatividade física. Houve associação negativa para exposição solar habitual de mãos, braços e pernas, durante atividade de lazer, deslocamentos diários e atividade física e entre as 9h e 15h. Os achados mostram a relevância de fatores como sexo, etnia, composição corporal, atividade física e hábitos de exposição solar na alta prevalência de níveis inadequados de vitamina D em idosos.

Correlation of family functionality and burden of informal caregivers of hospitalized older adults.

AIM: to analyze the relationship between family functionality and burden of informal caregivers of hospitalized older people. METHODS: this is a cross-sectional study conducted with 98 informal caregivers of hospitalized older people in an inpatient unit of a large hospital in São Carlos, São Paulo. For data collection were used questionnaires to sociodemographic and care context characterization, to evaluate burden and family functionality. Descriptive analyzes and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used. RESULTS: female caregivers predominated, who took care of their parents and had no training. Approximately 59.8% of caregivers had good family functionality and 49.5% scored for mild to moderate burden. There was a negative correlation, moderate magnitude, between family functionality and burden (p<0,001). The higher the burden score, the lower the family functionality score and vice versa. CONCLUSION: caregivers with high burden had worse family functionality. Therefore, nurses need to identify such conditions early and implement assertive interventions so that the family functions as a therapeutic resource.

Association between zinc deficiency and cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults. / Associação entre deficiência de zinco e declínio cognitivo em idosos da comunidade.

This is a cross-sectional study evaluating the association between zinc deficiency and cognitive decline in 591 community-dwelling older adults living in the cities of Campinas, Limeira, and Piracicaba-SP. Cognitive status was evaluated using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument-CASI-S, considering a decline for scores <23 for those aged 60-69 and <20 for those aged ≥70 years. Among the evaluated cognitive domains, older adults with zinc deficiency had significantly lower mean scores on the memory test (p=0.018). For zinc deficiency, values below 70 µg/dL were considered for women and 74 µg/dL for men. The prevalence of zinc deficiency was 3.9%, and cognitive deficit was 9.4%, being significantly higher in those with zinc deficiency compared with those with normal serum zinc concentrations. In adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis, the factors that remained associated with cognitive decline were zinc deficiency (OR=3.80; 95%CI=1.30-11.12), low schooling level (OR=3.12; 95%CI=1.49-6.50), lack of a partner (OR=1.88; 95%CI=1.04-3.42), risk of malnutrition (OR=3.98; 95%CI=2.36-6.71), and a history of encephalic vascular accident (OR=2.70; 95%CI=1.04-6.98). Zinc deficiency was associated with the presence of cognitive decline in older adults. Actions in primary health care are necessary to prevent the deficiency of this nutrient.

Estudo transversal avaliou a associação entre deficiência de zinco sérico e declínio cognitivo em 591 idosos da comunidade residentes nos municípios de Campinas, Limeira e Piracicaba-SP. A cognição foi avaliada pelo Instrumento de Triagem de Habilidades Cognitivas-CASI-S considerando declínio pontuação <23 em idosos de 60-69 anos e <20 em idosos ≥70 anos. Considerou-se deficiência de zinco sérico valor de <70 µg/dL para mulheres e 74 µg/dL para homens. Entre os domínios cognitivos, idosos com deficiência de zinco tiveram pontuação média significativamente menor no teste de memória (p=0,018). A prevalência da deficiência de zinco foi de 3,9%, e de 9,4% de declínio cognitivo, sendo significativamente maior em idosos com deficiência de zinco do que os que não tinham (26,1% e 8,8%, respectivamente). Em análise de regressão logística múltipla ajustada, os fatores que permaneceram associados ao declínio cognitivo foram deficiência de zinco (OR=3,80; IC95%=1,30-11,12), baixa escolaridade (OR=3,12; IC95%=1,49-6,50), não ter companheiro (OR=1,88; IC95%=1,04-3,42), risco de desnutrição (OR=3,98; IC95%=2,36-6,71), e histórico de acidente vascular encefálico (OR=2,70; IC95%=1,04-6,98). A deficiência de zinco foi associada ao declínio cognitivo em idosos. Ações na atenção básica de saúde são necessárias para prevenir a deficiência deste nutriente.

Frailty is associated with sociodemographic and health factors and related to the care context of older caregivers: a Brazilian cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The task of caring can arise suddenly without guidance or support, resulting in psychological tension and health impairment, which can culminate in the development of frailty. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between frailty and sociodemographic and health aspects related to the care context of older caregivers. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 65 older caregivers registered in family health units in the interior of the state of São Paulo. METHODS: The participants were interviewed individually using the following instruments: a characterization questionnaire, Fried's frailty phenotype, Zarit Burden's Interview, Mini-Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale, Katz Index, and Lawton Scale. In addition, the following statistical tests were applied: Pearson's chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and Mann-Whitney test. A significance level of 5% was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Women who took care of their spouses predominated without prior training or the help of other people. Most of the patients were pre-frail (72.3%). Frailty was significantly related to marital status (P = 0.016), depressive symptoms (P = 0.029), cognitive decline (P = 0.029), the degree of kinship (P = 0.015), and burden (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Older caregivers without a partner, with severe depressive symptoms and cognitive changes, who cared for their parents, and had higher levels of burden, presented a higher proportion of frailty.

Association of Social Support Network with Telomere Length: A Cross-Sectional Study with Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Considering that telomere length can be determined not only by issues related to cell biology but also by aspects related to social factors and environmental exposures, studies on the relationship between social aspects and telomere length can help to better understand the still scarcely known aspects of the human aging process. Thus, this research seeks to verify whether social support networks are associated with telomere length in older adults. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 448 individuals aged at least 60 years living in the urban area of an inland Brazilian municipality. Relative quantification of telomere length was obtained through real-time qPCR. Social support was assessed through the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were used in data analysis. The evaluated social support networks for older adults consist in a mean of 16.4 people, and the percentage of older adults who reported up to five members in their network was 27.75%. Shorter telomere length was identified in 25% of the participants, and the older adults who reported having up to five members in their support network were more likely to have a shorter telomere length than those who reported more numerous networks (odds ratio: 1.89, p = 0.011) regardless of gender, age, household arrangement, cognitive decline, and dependence for basic and instrumental activities of daily living, which suggests that measures that stimulate the creation and maintenance of social support networks should be implemented to improve older adults' health.

Relationship of burden with depressive symptoms, mental disorders and older adults' functional dependence: A study with paid and unpaid caregivers in Brazil.

The objective of this study was to identify the relationship of burden with depressive symptoms, mental disorders and older adults' functional dependence in paid and unpaid caregivers. This is a quantitative and cross-sectional study, carried out in the inland of the state of São Paulo with 111 caregivers, 60 of whom were unpaid and 51 were paid. The caregivers answered a questionnaire for the assessment of sociodemographic and care characteristics, the Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20), and the Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ). Unpaid caregivers were older, married, have been providing care for a longer period of time, and devoted more days and hours per week to care when compared to paid caregivers. Depressive symptoms and mental disorders (non-psychotic) are related to the levels of burden in both paid and unpaid caregivers (p < 0.001). The care process causes harm such as burden, depressive symptoms, and mental disorders in paid and unpaid caregivers. Thus, it is important to think about coping strategies to minimize the psychological consequences of the care process.

Burden, satisfaction caregiving, and family relations in informal caregivers of older adults.

Introduction: Family caregivers of older persons devote much of their time and energy to caring for another person. This exposure may burden caregivers and compromise their health and quality of life. Objective: To investigate the relationship between burden, sociodemographic, caregiving, and health characteristics of informal caregivers of dependent older adults. Methods: Cross-sectional and analytical study carried out in Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil, with 52 informal caregivers of older persons who need full-time help for basic living activities. Caregivers' burden was assessed by Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Data were analyzed using a T-test, Pearson's correlation, and Multiple Linear Regression. Results: The ZBI mean score of caregivers was 26.3 points (SD = 14.6; min = 0; max = 68). Burden scores were higher among caregivers who did not receive help from other people in care (p = 0.016), reported family dysfunction (p = 0.001), and had depression symptoms (p = 0.007). A correlation was found between the scores of burdens and satisfaction with care (r = 0.76; p < 0.001) and perceived material support (r = -0.30; p = 0.40). Satisfaction with care (ß: 0.61; p < 0.001) and family dysfunction (ß: 8.07; p = 0.033) were significantly associated with the burden score. Conclusion: Caregivers with dysfunctional families and satisfaction with the care presented the highest-burden scores. The findings reveal the need for strategies to facilitate mediation and reduce caregiver burden by strengthening the family network support or providing professional assistance.

Burden and social support in informal caregivers of people undergoing kidney dialysis: a mixed study.

OBJECTIVES: to analyze the burden and the social support of the informal caregivers of people undergoing kidney dialysis. METHODS: mixed study, based on the Theory of Stress and Overload, using instruments of sociodemographic characterization, the Social Support Survey from the Medical Outcomes Study, Zarit's Burden Scale, and guiding questions. Analysis of data used statistical and thematic inferences. RESULTS: 55 caregivers were evaluated, most were women, from 31 to 50 years old, married, and having worked in care for more than three years. A high level of affective and material support was observed, with a light overload on the caregiver. The central theme of the discourses was: "Experiences of the caregiver: between the burden of responsibility and the search for meaning". CONCLUSIONS: a small overload was found in the participants, with a high median in the dimensions of affective and emotional support, in the relations between positive social interactions and the burden of the caregivers, in addition to the duality or responsibility and the meaning of care.

Burden and social support in informal caregivers of people undergoing kidney dialysis: a mixed study.

OBJECTIVES: to analyze the burden and the social support of the informal caregivers of people undergoing kidney dialysis. METHODS: mixed study, based on the Theory of Stress and Overload, using instruments of sociodemographic characterization, the Social Support Survey from the Medical Outcomes Study, Zarit's Burden Scale, and guiding questions. Analysis of data used statistical and thematic inferences. RESULTS: 55 caregivers were evaluated, most were women, from 31 to 50 years old, married, and having worked in care for more than three years. A high level of affective and material support was observed, with a light overload on the caregiver. The central theme of the discourses was: "Experiences of the caregiver: between the burden of responsibility and the search for meaning". CONCLUSIONS: a small overload was found in the participants, with a high median in the dimensions of affective and emotional support, in the relations between positive social interactions and the burden of the caregivers, in addition to the duality or responsibility and the meaning of care.

Association between perceived social support and better cognitive performance among caregivers and non-caregivers.

OBJECTIVE: to identify the association between the characteristics of the support network and cognitive performance of older caregivers and compare characteristics between caregivers and non-caregivers. METHODS: we evaluated 85 older caregivers and 84 older non-caregivers registered with primary care units regarding sociodemographic characteristics, cognition, and social support. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: among non-caregivers, significant associations were found between a better cognitive performance and receiving emotional/affectionate support; each one-point increase in the emotional support score and affectionate support score was related to a 0.43-point and 0.39-point increase in cognitive assessment, respectively. Among older caregivers, each one-point increase in the emotional support score was related to a 0.55-point increase in cognitive assessment. CONCLUSION: strengthening the support networks of older caregivers and encouraging satisfactory exchanges of social support can assist in improving cognitive performance, which can have a positive impact on caregivers' health.

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.

[Evaluation of the self-esteem of bearers of HIV/AIDS of Alfenas city, Minas Gerais, Brazil]. / Avaliação da auto-estima de portadores de HIV/AIDS do município de Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brasil.

This study aimed at identifying the socioeconomic characteristics and at evaluating the self-esteem of the adult users with positive serology anti-HIV and attacked by AIDS, assisted in the Centro de Testagem e Aconselhamento (CTA) of the Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is a study accomplished among April to August 2008 with the technique of semi-structured interview. The age group prevailed among 30-39 years (37.78%), feminine gender (53.3%), white color (48.9%), single (37.8%), low education level (42.2%), that they acquired the virus through sexual relationship (88.9%) and with medium score of self-esteem (62.2%). In relation to the relatives, 24.44% of the interviewees had at least a positive serum in the family. The epidemic identification profile of the bearers of HIV/AIDS in CTA of Alfenas it comes to evidence the need of larger social mobilization and of inter-sectorial integration in the implementation of actions that can act facing this grievance.

Social network and older people's functionality: Health, Well-being, and Aging (SABE) study evidences. / Redes sociais e funcionalidade em pessoas idosas: evidências do estudo Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento (SABE).

INTRODUCTION: Possessing active social networks seems to positively influence the functional performance of elderly people. OBJECTIVE: To verify the association between the characteristics of social networks of the elderly people and the emergence of functional impairment. METHODS: This is a longitudinal population-based study, which used the 2006 (n = 1,413) and 2010 (n = 990) cohorts of the Health, Well-Being, and Aging (SABE) Study. To characterize the social networks, the following variables were used: number of members in the network; living arrangements; sex and age of the members; coresidence with children or only elderly individuals; satisfaction with the relationships; and receiving and offering social support (financial, material, emotional, performing tasks inside and outside the home, providing companionship, and personal care). Logistic regression was used to analyze the data. All ethical guidelines were followed. RESULTS: The social networks of the elderly people had an average of 8.15 members and consisted predominantly of family members aged between 15 and 59 years. Dependent elderly people received more material support, help in performing household tasks and those outside the home, and personal care, while the independent elderly people received more emotional support and companionship. Provision of social support (OR = 0.32, 95%CI 0.14 - 0.71) decreased the chances of developing dependency, independent of sociodemographic and health conditions. CONCLUSION: The strengthening of social networks in old age should be encouraged since confidence in informal care offered, mainly by families, may not be the best option for dealing with the growing demand for care that accompanies the aging of the population.

INTRODUÇÃO: Possuir redes sociais ativas parece influenciar positivamente o desempenho funcional de idosos. OBJETIVO: Verificar a associação entre as características das redes sociais de idosos e o surgimento de comprometimento funcional. MÉTODOS: Estudo longitudinal de base populacional que utilizou as coortesde2006 (n = 1.413) e 2010 (n = 990) do Estudo Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento (SABE). Para caracterização das redes sociais utilizou-se as seguintes variáveis: número de integrantes da rede; arranjo domiciliar; sexo e idade dos integrantes; co-residência com criança ou apenas com idosos; satisfação com a relação; recebimento e oferecimento de apoio social (financeiro, material, emocional, realização de tarefas dentro e fora de casa, companhia e cuidados pessoais). Utilizou-se regressão logística para a análise dos dados. Todos os cuidados éticos foram observados. RESULTADOS: As redes sociais dos idosos possuem, em média, 8,15 integrantes e são constituídas predominantemente por familiares com idade entre 15 e 59 anos. Idosos dependentes recebem mais apoio material, para realização de tarefas domésticas, fora de casa e cuidados pessoais, enquanto os idosos independentes recebem mais apoio emocional e companhia. Oferecer apoio social (OR = 0,32; IC95% 0,14-0,71) diminuiu as chances de desenvolver dependência, independente de condições sociodemográficas e de saúde. CONCLUSÃO: Deve-se estimular o fortalecimento das redes sociais na velhice, uma vez que a confiança no cuidado informal, oferecido, principalmente pelas famílias, pode não ser a melhor opção para lidar com a demanda de cuidado crescente que acompanha o envelhecimento da população brasileira.

Performance pattern of activities of daily living for older adults in the city of São Paulo in 2000, 2006, and 2010. / Padrão do desempenho nas atividades de vida diária em idosos no município de São Paulo, nos anos 2000, 2006 e 2010.

INTRODUCTION: Functionality in aging is associated with the autonomy and independence of older people. OBJECTIVE: To identify and hierarchize the difficulties reported by older adults in performing activities of daily living. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, household-based study that used the Health, Well-being, and Aging Study (Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento - SABE) database of 2000, 2006, and 2010. We evaluated the functionality using reports on the difficulty in performing basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL and IADL, respectively). The Guttman scaling assessed the hierarchy of functional impairment. RESULTS: The prevalence of reported difficulty in performing one or more IADLs was 35.4, 45.8, and 41.0%; while for ADLs, it was 16.3, 13.3, and 17.5%, in 2000, 2006, and 2010, respectively. In ten years of follow-up, the variability in prevalence among women ranged from 42.3 to 54.6% for IADL impairment, and 17.0 to 20.4% for ADL. For men, it varied from 25.6 to 33.1% for IADL impairment, and 8.0 to 13.7% for ADL. In the three waves, the activities with the highest reported difficulty were using transportation, performing heavy tasks, and managing finances, while feeding was the least prevalent. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of functional impairment increased in ten years, with higher variability among women and with advancing age. These results contribute to the planning of services and adequate distribution of existing resources as they reveal the needs and care required.

INTRODUÇÃO: A funcionalidade no envelhecimento está associada à autonomia e independência das pessoas idosas. OBJETIVO: Identificar e hierarquizar as dificuldades referidas no desempenho das atividades de vida diária de idosos. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal e descritivo, de base domiciliar, que utilizou a base de dados do Estudo SABE (Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento) nos anos de 2000, 2006 e 2010. A funcionalidade foi avaliada por meio do relato de dificuldade no desempenho das atividades básicas (ABVD) e instrumentais de vida diária (AIVD). A hierarquização do comprometimento funcional foi avaliada pelo escalonamento de Guttman. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de dificuldade referida no desempenho de uma ou mais AIVDs foi de 35,4; 45,8 e 41,0% e para as ABVDs foi de 16,3; 13,3 e 17,5%; respectivamente nos anos de 2000, 2006 e 2010. Em dez anos de acompanhamento observa-se, entre as mulheres, variabilidade na prevalência de 42,3 a 54,6% de comprometimento nas AIVDs e de 17,0 a 20,4% nas ABVDs e, entre os homens, de 25,6 a 33,1% em AIVDs e de 8,0 a 13,7% em ABVDs. Nas três ondas, as atividades com maior relato de dificuldade foram utilizar transporte, realizar tarefas pesadas e cuidar das finanças, enquanto o ato de comer foi a menos prevalente. CONCLUSÃO: Houve aumento na prevalência de comprometimento funcional no período de dez anos, com maior variabilidade entre as mulheres e com o avançar da idade. Esses resultados contribuem para o planejamento dos serviços e a distribuição adequada dos recursos existentes por desvelar as necessidades e os cuidados necessários.

Caregivers of elderly and excessive tension associated to care: evidence of the Sabe Study. / Cuidadores de idosos e tensão excessiva associada ao cuidado: evidências do Estudo SABE.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple illness and injury classes can cause a functional disability of the elderly, or the right to seek help from another person. Caregiving can be generated without the caregiver functions, leading to burden. OBJECTIVE: to describe the sociodemographic and care profile of caregivers of the elderly and to analyze the factors associated with excessive stress regarding care. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study, part of the SABE (Health, well-being and aging) Study, carried out in the city of São Paulo in 2010, with 362 caregivers. The excessive stress associated with care was evaluated by the Zarit Scale, and the load was found to be less than 24 points and the presence of burden was considered, with scores ≥ 24 points. Hierarchical Logistic Regression was used to analyze the factors associated with the stress of family caregivers. RESULTS: Most of the caregivers were family members (91.5%), being female (75.4%), mean age 53.9 years (SD ± 15.5), married (65.3%), lived in the same household with the elderly (68.2%). One-third of them presented burden, which was associated with age (OR = 1.04, p = 0.001), family dysfunction (OR = 5.60, p = 0.000), continuous care (OR = 78, p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: The data reveal the need to maintain their needs and support to caregivers, especially their relatives and their sources of life and their debts.

INTRODUÇÃO: A presença de múltiplas doenças e agravos crônicos pode ocasionar a incapacidade funcional do idoso, o qual poderá requerer a necessidade de ajuda de outra pessoa. A prestação de cuidados diários e ininterruptos pode gerar no cuidador situações estressoras, levando-o a sobrecarga. OBJETIVO: Descrever o perfil sociodemográfico e assistencial dos cuidadores de idosos e analisar os fatores associados à tensão excessiva associada ao cuidado. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, parte do Estudo Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento (SABE), realizado no município de São Paulo, no ano de 2010, com 362 cuidadores. A tensão excessiva associada ao cuidado foi avaliada pela escala de Zarit, e considerou-se ausência de sobrecarga pontuação inferior a 24 pontos e presença de sobrecarga os escores ≥ 24 pontos. Utilizou-se regressão de logística hierárquica para analisar os fatores associados à tensão dos cuidadores familiares. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos cuidadores era familiar (91,5%), do sexo feminino (75,4%), com média de idade de 53,9 anos (desvio padrão - DP ± 15,5), casado (65,3%), residente no mesmo domicílio do idoso (68,2%). Um terço deles apresentou sobrecarga de cuidado, que foi associado à idade (odds ratio - OR = 1,04; p = 0,001), ao relato de disfunção familiar (OR = 5,60; p = 0,000) e à prestação de cuidado contínuo (OR = 2,78; p = 0,030). CONCLUSÃO: Os dados revelam a necessidade de políticas públicas que incluam as necessidades e o suporte aos cuidadores, em especial, os familiares, a fim de melhorar sua qualidade de vida e a sua prestação de cuidados às pessoas idosas.