Samila Sathler Tavares Batistoni

Medidas prospectivas de sintomas depressivos entre idosos residentes na comunidade

OBJETIVO: Identificar fatores sociodemograficos associados a padroes de incidencia, remissao e estabilidade de sintomas depressivos entre idosos residentes na comunidade. METODOS: Estudo prospectivo em que foram entrevistados 310 idosos residentes na comunidade, em Juiz de Fora, MG, entre 2002 e 2004. O seguimento (T2) foi realizado 15,7 meses apos a primeira entrevista (T1). Os sintomas de depressao foram avaliados pela escala do Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression. Os idosos foram classificados segundo a evolucao dos sintomas de depressao e comparados quanto as variaveis sociodemograficas com o teste de qui-quadrado e Exato de Fisher. RESULTADOS: Nao houve diferencas na prevalencia de sintomas depressivos entre T1 e T2 (33,8%). Foram identificados quatro grupos segundo a evolucao dos sintomas da primeira para a segunda medida: livres de depressao (50,9%); recorrencia (19,7%); incidencia (15,2%); remissao (14,2%). Ter pontuado para depressao em T1, ser do sexo feminino e possuir baixa escolaridade representaram riscos para a manifestacao de sintomas depressivos em T2. CONCLUSOES: Piores trajetorias de evolucao em sintomatologia depressiva (incidencia e recorrencia) associaram-se ao genero feminino.OBJECTIVEnTo identify sociodemographic factors associated with patterns of incidence, remission and stability of depressive symptoms in community-dwelling elderly individuals.nnnMETHODSnprospective study was conducted, where 310 community-dwelling elderly individuals of the city of Juiz de Fora, Southeastern Brazil, were interviewed between 2002 and 2004. Follow-up (T2) was performed 15.7 months after the first interview (T1). Depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Elderly individuals were classified according to the progression of depressive symptoms and compared in terms of sociodemographic variables with Pearsons chi-square test and Fishers exact test.nnnRESULTSnThere were no differences in the prevalence of depressive symptoms between T1 and T2 (33.8%). A total of four groups were identified, according to the progression of symptoms from the first to the second measure: without depressive symptoms (50.9%); recurrence (19.7%); incidence (15.2%); and remission (14.2%). Scoring for depression in T1, being female and having a low level of education represented risks of manifesting depressive symptoms in T2.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe worst progressions of depressive symptoms (incidence and recurrence) were associated with the female gender.

Validade e confiabilidade da versão brasileira da Center for Epidemiological Scale - Depression (CES-D) em idosos brasileiros

Construct validity and internal reliability concerning the Center for Epidemiological StudyDepression (CESD) were described in a prospective study with elderly people living in the community. The sample consisted of 347 elderly adults (73% women), 71.96 years old in average (SD=8.45), which were submitted to two measures of depressive symptoms through the CESD. The mean tim e between measures was 15.7 months (SD=4.57). Confirmatory factorial analysis performed on the second measure revealed the same factors identified in the first measure (negative affection, difficulty in initiating behaviors and positive affection). Cronbach alpha was 0.82 for the scale, and 0.77, 0.59 and 0.47, respectively for factors 1, 2, and 3. Prevalence of depressive symptoms was consistent in both measures (34%).

Síntomas depresivos en adultos mayores participantes de una universidad abierta a la tercera edad

INTRODUCTIONnAlthough depressive disorders prevalence among older adults usually is less than in the younger population, the presence of significant symptoms of depression is common in elderly people. Studies show that taking part in social, educational and pleasure activities is associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms in this population. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms above the elderly participants of a Third Age Open University, taking the time taking part as a reference.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnA cross-sectional design was implemented, with a participation of 95.2% (n=140) of the total enrolled in the first trimester of 2009 in the activities of the Third Age Open University of the Schools of Arts, Sciences and Humanities of the University of São Paulo. They all answered a socio-demographic questionnaire and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15).nnnRESULTSnThe prevalence of depressive symptoms found was 3.57%. The statistical analysis showed a relationship between participation formore than one semester in the Third Age Open University and a lower index of depressive symptoms (p<.05).nnnCONCLUSIONSnParticipating for longer than one academic semester is associated with less depressive symptoms, possibly being a protector factor against depression.

Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ): indicadores psicométricos e relações com medidas afetivas em amostra idosa

We examined psychometric indicators of the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and their relationship with measures of affective experience, satisfaction with life and depression in the elderly. One hundred and fifty-three elderly people (M = 66.8 years, SD = 5.20, 71.2% female) of an Open University for Seniors responded to the ERQ, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Life Satisfaction Scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Two factors (Cognitive Reappraisal and Emotional Suppression) explained 50.1% of variance; internal consistency and temporal stability were above .70. There were positive relations between Cognitive Reappraisal and life satisfaction and positive affect; and there were negative relations with depression. Increased use of Cognitive Reappraisal is an indication of emotional health in the elderly.

Depressive symptoms in elderly participants of an open university for elderly

Although the prevalence of depressive disorders among the elderly is lower than among the younger population, the presence of significant symptoms of depression is common in this group. Studies report that participation in social, educational and leisure activities is related to fewer depressive symptoms in this population. Objective The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of depression among elderly participants of an Open University for the Third Age, in terms of the time studying. Methods The study had a cross-sectional design and the participation of 95.2% (n=184) of total enrollers in the first half of 2010 on the activities of the Third Age Open University’s School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities of the University of São Paulo. All participants answered a socio-demographic questionnaire and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Results An association between studying time of over one semester at the University of the Third Age and a lower rate of depressive symptoms, was observed. Conclusion Study time of over one semester was associated with less depressive symptoms, acting as a possible protective factor against depression.

Determinants of cognitive performance among community dwelling older adults in an impoverished sub-district of São Paulo in Brazil.

Determinants of cognitive performance in old age have received limited attention in Latin America. We investigated the association of socio-demographic and health-related variables with cognitive performance in a sample of older adults with limited educational experience living in a poor sub-district of the city of São Paulo. This was a cross-sectional population-based study which included a sample of 384 seniors 65 years and older. Cognition was assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB) (episodic memory test with 10 pictures, verbal fluency (VF), Clock Drawing Test (CDT)). Results indicated that age, sex, schooling, depressive symptoms, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) level had a significant impact on the cognitive performance of the sample. Therefore, pharmacological and psychosocial interventions with a focus on improving mood and controlling hypertension may have beneficial effects on cognition among seniors with similar socio-demographic characteristics.

Motivational Factors and Predictors for Attending a Continuing Education Program for Older Adults

The objectives were to describe the stated motives of participants who enrolled in a program at the Open University for the Elderly (UnATI, in Portuguese), identify correlations between the stated motives and sociodemographic data, and find a set of predictors related to the listed motives. A total of 306 middle-aged and elderly adults aged 50 or older were surveyed through a sociodemographic questionnaire and a five-item scale to check their motives to enroll in the program. The following motivational factors were identified, in order of importance: enhancing general knowledge, investing in personal development, increasing social interaction, learning more in order to help others, and employing ones free time profitably. Age and years of schooling combined were strong predictors of participants seeking new knowledge. Being single and not retired was correlated with the motive Investing in Personal Development. Having attended elementary school only and being married was closely correlated to the motive Increasing Social Interaction. Employing Ones Free Time Profitably was associated with single or widowed individuals with family income between 3.1 and 4.0 times the minimum wage. As for Learning More in Order to Help Others, no predictors were found for this motive. It was found that participants seek to satisfy a desire to learn/ know more, to be up-to-date, to exercise their rights as citizens, and to play an active role in society. Our data suggest that these are the assumptions that drive middle-aged and elderly adults to look for various types of educational programs.

Relationships between episodic memory performance prediction and sociodemographic variables among healthy older adults

Previous studies have suggested that performance prediction, an aspect of metamemory, may be associated with objective performance on memory tasks. Objective The objective of the study was to describe memory prediction before performing an episodic memory task, in community-dwelling older adults, stratified by sex, age group and educational level. Additionally, the association between predicted and objective performance on a memory task was investigated. Methods The study was based on data from 359 participants in the FIBRA study carried out at Ermelino Matarazzo, São Paulo. Memory prediction was assessed by posing the question: If someone showed you a sheet with drawings of 10 pictures to observe for 30 seconds, how many pictures do you think you could remember without seeing the sheet?. Memory performance was assessed by the memorization of 10 black and white pictures from the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB). Results No differences were found between men and women, nor for age group and educational level, in memory performance prediction before carrying out the memory task. There was a modest association (rho=0.11, p=0.041) between memory prediction and performance in immediate memory. On multivariate linear regression analyses, memory performance prediction was moderately significantly associated with immediate memory (p=0.061). Conclusion In this study, sociodemographic variables did not influence memory prediction, which was only modestly associated with immediate memory on the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB).

Gerontologia Ambiental: panorama de suas contribuições para a atuação do gerontólogo

The paper presents some considerations about the theoretical field of Environmental Gerontology, with a brief overview of the classical themes of study and application of the new fields opened up by the demands of population aging and public policy issues arising. The text also seeks to highlight the increase in the international academic field production, but not together in the national production. It highlights the importance of environmental outlook for the practical actions of the professional gerontologist in tasks of care management, services and policies in the field of aging and aging processes.

Prospective measures of depressive symptoms in community-dwelling elderly individuals

OBJETIVO: Identificar fatores sociodemograficos associados a padroes de incidencia, remissao e estabilidade de sintomas depressivos entre idosos residentes na comunidade. METODOS: Estudo prospectivo em que foram entrevistados 310 idosos residentes na comunidade, em Juiz de Fora, MG, entre 2002 e 2004. O seguimento (T2) foi realizado 15,7 meses apos a primeira entrevista (T1). Os sintomas de depressao foram avaliados pela escala do Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression. Os idosos foram classificados segundo a evolucao dos sintomas de depressao e comparados quanto as variaveis sociodemograficas com o teste de qui-quadrado e Exato de Fisher. RESULTADOS: Nao houve diferencas na prevalencia de sintomas depressivos entre T1 e T2 (33,8%). Foram identificados quatro grupos segundo a evolucao dos sintomas da primeira para a segunda medida: livres de depressao (50,9%); recorrencia (19,7%); incidencia (15,2%); remissao (14,2%). Ter pontuado para depressao em T1, ser do sexo feminino e possuir baixa escolaridade representaram riscos para a manifestacao de sintomas depressivos em T2. CONCLUSOES: Piores trajetorias de evolucao em sintomatologia depressiva (incidencia e recorrencia) associaram-se ao genero feminino.OBJECTIVEnTo identify sociodemographic factors associated with patterns of incidence, remission and stability of depressive symptoms in community-dwelling elderly individuals.nnnMETHODSnprospective study was conducted, where 310 community-dwelling elderly individuals of the city of Juiz de Fora, Southeastern Brazil, were interviewed between 2002 and 2004. Follow-up (T2) was performed 15.7 months after the first interview (T1). Depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Elderly individuals were classified according to the progression of depressive symptoms and compared in terms of sociodemographic variables with Pearsons chi-square test and Fishers exact test.nnnRESULTSnThere were no differences in the prevalence of depressive symptoms between T1 and T2 (33.8%). A total of four groups were identified, according to the progression of symptoms from the first to the second measure: without depressive symptoms (50.9%); recurrence (19.7%); incidence (15.2%); and remission (14.2%). Scoring for depression in T1, being female and having a low level of education represented risks of manifesting depressive symptoms in T2.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe worst progressions of depressive symptoms (incidence and recurrence) were associated with the female gender.