Bartolomeu Fagundes de Lima Filho

Depressive Symptoms and Associated Factors in Institutionalized Elderly

Background/Study Context: Depression is a common psychiatric disorder in the elderly that leads to a decrease in quality of life and functional impairment, among other health problems. The study of depressive symptoms in institutionalized elderly is scarce in Latin America and can contribute to plan prevention and treatment actions in order to improve health conditions for the residents as well as quality of life. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and identify its associated factors in institutionalized elderly. Methods: A cross-sectional study is presented herein, carried out in 10 nursing homes of the municipality of Natal (Northeast Brazil). All individuals over the age of 60 were included. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) was applied to verify the depressive symptoms, as well as sociodemographic variables related to the institution and health conditions (comorbidities, medication, body mass index, level of physical activity, mobility, and functional and cognitive capacities). Bivariate analysis was carried out using the chi-square Pearson’s test (or Fisher’s test) and the linear trend chi-square. Finally, logistic regression was utilized for multivariate analysis. Results: The final sample was constituted of 142 elderly, mostly of the female sex (78.9%), with an average age of 79.3 (SD: 8.2). Of these, 65 individuals presented depressive symptoms, with a 45.77% prevalence (95% confidence interval [CI]: 37.80–53.97%). The final model verified an association between the presence of depressive symptoms and functional impairment, prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.58 (95% CI: 1.04–2.42), and arterial hypertension, PR = 1.57 (95% CI: 1.07–2.31), adjusted by fecal incontinence, sex, and age. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms were present in almost half of the sample of institutionalized elderly, and this condition was associated with functional impairment and arterial hypertension. The results of this work indicate the importance of monitoring depression as well as intervening on these modifiable aspects, to avoid the cascade of negative outcomes associated with this disease and also improve the quality of life of this population group.

Autopercepção da saúde em idosos institucionalizados

This study aimed to verify health self-perception, its prevalence and associated factors in institutionalized elderly. A cross-sectional study is presented herein, conducted in 10 Long-Term care Institutions for the Elderly (LTIE) in the city of Natal (Northeast Brazil), between October and December 2013. Sociodemographic variables were analyzed, along with institution-related and health state variables. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were carried out (Chi-squared test, Fishers exact test or linear trend Chi-squared test), as well as multivariate analysis (logistic regression). The final sample consisted of 127 elderly. The prevalence of negative self-perceived health was 63.19% (CI 95%: 55.07-70.63), and was associated with weight loss (PR: 1.54; CI 95%: 1.19-1.99), rheumatic disease (PR: 1.46; CI 95%: 1.05-2.01) and not-for-profit LTIE (PR: 1.37; CI 95%: 1.03-1.83), adjusted by sex. More than half of the elderly reported negative self-perceived health, which was associated with weight loss, rheumatic disease and type of institution. Actions must be developed to promote better health conditions in LTIE, such as nutrition consulting and physical therapy, to improve quality of life.Resumo Este trabalho objetivou determinar a autopercepcao da saude em idosos institucionalizados, assim como verificar a prevalencia de percepcao negativa da saude e seus fatores associados. Trata-se de estudo transversal realizado em 10 instituicoes de longa permanencia para idosos (ILPI) da cidade de Natal, entre outubro e dezembro de 2013. Foram analisadas variaveis sociodemograficas, relacionadas a ILPI e as condicoes de saude. Realizou-se a analise descritiva, bivariada mediante os testes qui-quadrado, exato de Fisher ou qui-quadrado de tendencia linear, assim como multivariado mediante regressao logistica. A amostra foi de 127 idosos. A prevalencia de autopercepcao negativa da saude foi de 63,19% (IC 95%: 55,07-70,63), e esteve associada a perda de peso (RP: 1,54; IC 95%: 1,19-1,99), doenca reumatica (RP: 1,46; IC 95%: 1,05-2,01) e ILPI sem fins lucrativos (RP: 1,37; IC 95%: 1,03-1,83), ajustado por sexo. E fundamental desenvolver acoes de promocao da saude nas ILPI, como aquelas baseadas na nutricao e fisioterapia que atuem sobre esses agravos a saude, com vistas a melhorar a qualidade de vida.

Activity Limitations in Brazilian Institutionalized Older Adults.

Background and Purpose: Although functional assessments and programs to prevent activity limitations are fundamental for efficient geriatric evaluations and interventions, these procedures have not been satisfactorily explored at nursing homes in Brazil. Literature is scarce on the evaluation of disability in Brazilian institutionalized older people. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 nursing homes in the city of Natal (Northeast Brazil). Sociodemographic and health data were collected and activity limitations were assessed by the Katz Index. Results and Discussion: The prevalence of activity limitations was 72.9% (95% confidence interval: 67.8-77.5) and the most affected activity was “bathing” (71.6%), followed by “dressing” (65.4%) and “toileting” (62.0%). The final model revealed associations with private (for-profit) institutions (odds ratio [OR] = 3.33; P < .001), age ≥ 83 years (OR = 2.34; P = .003), institutionalization due to lack of caregiver (OR = 1.80; P = .033), and presence of osteoporosis (OR = 2.94; P = .045), adjusted by sex. Conclusions: Activity limitations affected almost 73% of institutionalized older people in this sample and were associated with private nursing homes, age, osteoporosis, and institutionalization due to lack of caregiver. Activity limitations exact high socioeconomic impacts and affect the quality of life of older people. The results obtained herein emphasized the importance of planning strategies for their prevention and treatment, directed to reduce the prevalence of this health issue.