RESUMO
A população mundial está envelhecendo e a América Latina e o Caribe (ALC) não são exceção. Atualmente, 8% da população da ALC tem mais de 65 anos e prevê-se que esse número aumente para 30% até 2050. Sabe-se que o processo de envelhecimento envolve alterações moleculares, fisiológicas, funcionais, psicoafetivas e sociais. Todos envelhecemos, a questão é envelhecer com saúde. Como nem sempre é esse o caso, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) declarou esse período (2021-2030) como a Década do Envelhecimento Saudável. A Década é uma iniciativa global de colaboração de diferentes setores e partes interessadas (governos, sociedade civil, organizações internacionais, profissionais, instituições universitárias, meios de comunicação social e setor privado) para melhorar a vida de pessoas idosas, suas famílias e comunidades. A colaboração centra-se em quatro pilares de ação estreitamente interligados: mudar a forma como pensamos, sentimos e agimos em relação à idade e ao envelhecimento; garantir que as comunidades promovam as capacidades dos idosos; fornecer cuidados integrados e centrados nas pessoas e serviços de saúde primários que respondam às necessidades dos idosos; e fornecer acesso a cuidados de longo prazo para idosos que deles necessitem.
The world's population is aging, and the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region is no exception. Currently, 8% of the LAC population is over 65 years old, and this number is estimated to increase to 30% by 2050. The aging process is known to involve molecular, physiological, functional, psychosocial, and social changes. We all age; the point is to age healthily. As this is not always the case, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the period from 2021 to 2030 as the Decade of Healthy Aging. The Decade is a global collaboration involving diverse sectors and stakeholders (governments, civil society, international organizations, professionals, academic institutions, the media, and the private sector) to improve the lives of older people, their families, and communities. The collaboration is centered on four closely interconnected pillars of action: changing how we think, feel, and act towards age and aging; ensuring that communities foster the abilities of older people; providing person-centered integrated care and primary health services responsive to older people; and providing access to long-term care for older people who need it. In light of this situation, what can academics from universities in LAC do? If we organize ourselves and unite efforts, we can contribute to the Decade of Healthy Aging and, consequently, influence the quality of life of older people.
La población mundial está envejeciendo y Latinoamérica y Caribe (LAC) no son una excepción. Actualmente, el 8% de la población en LAC tiene sobre 65 años, y se proyecta un aumento al 30% para 2050. Es conocido que el proceso de envejecimiento implica cambios moleculares, fisiológicos, funcionales, psicoafectivos y sociales. Todos envejecemos, el punto es envejecer saludablemente. Como no siempre ocurre así, la Organización Mundial de la Salud(OMS) ha declarado a este período (20212030) como la Década del Envejecimiento Saludable. La Década es una iniciativa de colaboración mundial de distintos sectores y partes interesadas (gobiernos, sociedad civil, organizaciones internacionales, profesionales, instituciones universitarias, medios de comunicación y el sector privado) para mejorar la vida de las personas mayores, sus familias y comunidades. La colaboración se centra en cuatro pilares de actuación estrechamente interconectados: cambiar nuestra forma de pensar, sentir y actuar con respecto a la edad y el envejecimiento; asegurar que las comunidades fomenten las capacidades de las personas mayores; ofrecer una atención integrada y centrada en las personas, y servicios de salud primarios que respondan a las necesidades de las personas mayores; y proporcionar acceso a la atención a largo plazo para las personas mayores que lo necesiten.
Assuntos
Humanos , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Envelhecimento Saudável , Organização Mundial da SaúdeRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Sarcopenia poses a significant problem for older adults, yet very little is known about this medical condition in the hospital setting. The aims of this hospital-based study were to determine: (i) the prevalence of sarcopenia; (ii) factors associated with sarcopenia; and (iii) the association of sarcopenia with adverse clinical outcomes post-hospitalisation. METHODS: This is a longitudinal analysis of consecutive patients aged ≥70 years admitted to a Geriatric Management and Evaluation Unit (GEMU) ward. Sarcopenia was classified using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) algorithm, which included: handgrip strength, gait speed, and muscle mass using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). Outcomes were assessed at 12-months post-hospital discharge, and included both mortality and admission to a hospital Emergency Department (ED). Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate survival, with Cox proportion hazard models then applied. All regression analyses controlled for age, sex, and co-morbidity. RESULTS: 172 patients (72% female) with a mean (SD) age of 85.2 (6.4) years were included. Sarcopenia was present in 69 (40.1%) of patients. Patients with sarcopenia were twice as likely to die in the 12-months post-hospitalisation (HR, 95% CI=2.23, 1.15-4.34), but did not have an increased likelihood of ED admission. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia showed an independent association with 12-month post-hospital mortality in older adults. With the new recognition of sarcopenia as a medical condition with its own unique ICD-10-CM code, awareness and diagnosis of sarcopenia in clinical settings is paramount.