Capacidade funcional e fatores associados: Estudo comparativo em idosos longevos residentes em Brejo dos Santos – PB e São Paulo – SP

Abstract

Introduction: In Brazil, the proportion of seniors aged 80 years or older has increased as a result of processes of demographic and epidemiological transitions, just as the interest in understanding the factors that may contribute to the improvement of functional capacity (FC) of these elderly people, according to the conditions that select them to live autonomously and to relate to one another. Regarding regional asymmetries and social inequalities in the country, it is necessary to investigate different populations to improve the understanding of how these differences affect the FC of the oldest old. Objective: To compare FC and its association with demographic and socioeconomic factors, health status, psychosocial aspects, and support networks in long-lived elderly (80 years and older) living in two Brazilian populations, one located in the northeast and one in the southeast. Material and methods: A cross-sectional and quantitative study conducted with long-lived residents in Brejo dos Santos/PB and São Paulo/SP. 417 elderly aged 80 years or older were interviewed, with data collected through the survey "Health, Welfare and Aging - SABE". In Brejo dos Santos/PB, data collection occurred in May 2017 and in São Paulo/SP happened between March and June 2016. The dependent variable of this study is the FC assessed by Katz and Lawton Indexes through the report of difficulties and disability for activities of dailing living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of dailing living (IADLs). The independent variables involved socioeconomic, demographic, psychosocial aspects, health status and support networks. Data was submitted to double entry and validated through the statistical program Epidata 3.1. Afterwards, they were analyzed using the R statistical software, consisting of bivariate and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The oldest old from Brejo dos Santos had an average age of 85.47 years (± 5.33) and those from São Paulo, 86.81 years (± 4.73). The oldest old of Brejo dos Santos presented lower prevalence of difficulties for ADLs. Regarding the dependence for IADLs, most of the oldest old presented functional decline in both groups. In the multiple regression analysis, in Brejo dos Santos, female gender, stroke, joint disease, and inadequate weight were factors influencing difficulties for ADLs, while the number of chronic diseases was associated with difficulties for IADLs. In São Paulo, women and lower income were associated with difficulties for IADLs. In Brejo dos Santos, marital status was an influencing factor for dependence for ADLs and IADLs; while being woman was associated with dependence on IADLs. In São Paulo, lower income was associated with dependence for ADLs and IADLs, and worse perception of health of dependence on IADLs, and older age on dependence on IADLs. Final considerations: Regional and socioeconomic differences produce different patterns in relation to factors associated with CF. Health status and support network have more influence on CF in Brejo dos Santos’s population and worse economic situation and psychosocial aspects in São Paulo’s population.