[Analysis of deaths of elderly people in the SABE survey]. / Análise dos óbitos em idosos no Estudo SABE.

The Pan-American Health Organization coordinated a survey called SABE - acronym for Health, Wellbeing and Aging carried out in seven Latin America and Caribbean countries. In Brazil, it was developed in the city of São Paulo in 2000. On a sample of 2,143 elderly people was applied an instrument, made up of eleven sections, in two parts. The present study was aimed at characterizing and analyzing the death causes of the elderly people during the period of the SABE data collection. From the total deaths, 55.3% were of very old males. Most elderly people didn't live alone and needed no help in answering the questionnaire. Regarding death causes, the diseases that had most incidences were circulatory system, neoplasias and respiratory system. It is hoped that the results of this study may contribute to the adoption of preventive measures aimed at reducing risks related to death among elderly people.