Comparison between ability and performance: a study on the functionality of dependent elderly individuals / Comparação entre a capacidade e desempenho: um estudo sobre a funcionalidade de idosos dependentes / Comparación entre capacidad y desempeño: un estudio sobre la funcionalidad de ancianos dependientes

OBJECTIVE: to compare the ability and performance of Basic Activities of Daily Living of dependent elderly individuals cared for in a geriatric healthcare center. METHOD: cross-sectional, observational study with quantitative approach. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was applied in 109 elderly individuals cared for in a geriatric healthcare center. Of these, 60 individuals were classified as dependent in the case of basic activities of daily living described according to the International Classification of Functionality, Disability and Health (ICF). The process of triangulation reinforced reliability of data, which included information provided by patients and caregivers and that contained in medical files and objective assessment. RESULTS: the average age was 81.0±7.1 with a predominance of women. The difference between ability and performance was statistically significant (p<0.05) in most daily tasks. CONCLUSION: the contribution of this study in using ICF was semi-quantitatively interpreting its qualifiers, which enabled more objective comparisons and inferences, and revealed a clear distance between the performance and ability of these individuals in most of the assessed activities. .

OBJETIVO: comparar a capacidade e o desempenho para a realização das Atividades Básicas de Vida Diária em idosos dependentes, atendidos pelo Centro de Referência do Idoso. MÉTODO: trata-se de estudo transversal, observacional, com abordagem quantitativa. A Medida de Independência Funcional foi aplicada em 109 idosos atendidos em um Centro de Referência do Idoso. Desses, 60 idosos foram classificados como dependentes para as Atividades Básicas de Vida Diária e descritos de acordo com a Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde. O processo de triangulação reforçou a fidedignidade dos dados obtidos, no qual se consideram as informações de pacientes e acompanhantes, em conjunto com o prontuário e avaliação objetiva. RESULTADOS: a média de idade foi de 81,0±7,1, com predominância do sexo feminino. A diferença entre a capacidade e o desempenho foi estatisticamente significativa (p<0,05) na maioria das tarefas do cotidiano. CONCLUSÃO: a contribuição deste estudo na utilização da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde foi a interpretação de seus qualificadores de maneira semiquantitativa, o que permitiu comparações e inferências mais objetivas e evidenciou clara distância entre o desempenho e a capacidade desses idosos em grande parte das atividades avaliadas. .

OBJETIVO: comparar la capacidad y el desempeño para la realización de las Actividades Básicas de la Vida Diaria en ancianos dependientes atendidos por el Centro de Referencia del Anciano. MÉTODO: se trata de un estudio transversal, observacional, con abordaje cuantitativo. La Medida de Independencia Funcional (MIF) fue aplicada en 109 ancianos atendidos en un Centro de Referencia del Anciano. De estos, 60 ancianos fueron clasificados como dependientes para las actividades básicas de la vida diaria y fueron descritos de acuerdo con la Clasificación Internacional de Funcionalidad Incapacidad y Salud (CIF). El proceso de triangulación reforzó la confiabilidad de los datos obtenidos, en el cual consideramos las informaciones de pacientes y acompañantes en conjunto con la ficha médica y evaluación objetiva. RESULTADOS: el promedio de edad fue de 81,0±7,1, con predominancia del género femenino. La diferencia entre la capacidad y el desempeño fue estadísticamente significativa (p<0,05) en la mayoría de las tareas de lo cotidiano. CONCLUSIÓN: la contribución de este estudio en la utilización de la CIF fue la interpretación de sus calificadores de manera semicuantitativa, lo que permitió comparaciones e inferencias más objetivas y evidenció una clara distancia entre el desempeño y la capacidad de esos ancianos en gran parte de las actividades evaluadas. .

Impact of a program to promote health and quality of life of elderly / Impacto de um programa de promoção da saúde na qualidade de vida do idoso

Objective: To evaluate the effect on quality of life of elderly people enrolled in the Grupo de Assistência Multidisciplinar ao Idoso Ambulatorial (GAMIA) of the Geriatric Service of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculdade de Medicina of Universidade de São Paulo. Methods: In 83 elderly participants of group between 2000 and 2002 the quality of life was assessed by the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-bref) at the beginning and the end of the program. Functionality was assessed by the Katz and Lawton scales and socio-demographic data were obtained from medical charts. Results: Females predominated (79.5%) and overall mean age was 69.30 years. Data analysis showed a reduction in the physical domain of WHOQOL-bref (p = 0.014) and increased psychological health and environment domains (p = 0.029 and p = 0.007 respectively), detecting a trend of increase in social relationships and in general domains (p = 0.062 and p = 0.052 respectively). Conclusions: The clinical evaluation of elderly may have the predominant factor for the deterioration of their perception in the physical domain because of the detection of previously unknown diseases and determination of the use of new drugs. Improvement in psychological health and the environment can be related to psychological and social support that the elderly received from peers and professionals and the benefits of group activities, as well as the upward trend observed in the social relationships and general domains. Participation in a program to promote healthy aging was effective in improving the quality of life of the elderly.

Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos na qualidade de vida de idosos matriculados no Grupo de Assistência Multidisciplinar ao Idoso Ambulatorial (GAMIA) do Serviço de Geriatria do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Métodos: Nos 83 idosos participantes do grupo entre 2000 e 2002, a qualidade de vida foi avaliada pelo World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-bref) no início e no fim do programa. A funcionalidade foi avaliada pelas Escalas de Katz e Lawton e os dados sociodemográficos foram obtidos nos prontuários. Resultados: Houve predomínio do sexo feminino (79,5%) e a média geral de idade foi de 69,30 anos. A análise dos dados mostraram uma redução no domínio físico do WHOQOL-bref (p = 0,014) e a elevação dos domínios psicológico e meio ambiente (p = 0,029 e p = 0,007, respectivamente), detectando-se tendência de elevação nos domínios relações sociais e geral (p = 0,062 e p = 0,052, respectivamente). Conclusões: Como a avaliação clínica desses idosos revelou doenças desconhecidas previamente e determinou a utilização de novos medicamentos, a percepção que os idosos tinham, em relação à sua saúde, pode ter sido o fator preponderante para a piora no domínio físico. A melhora dos domínios psicológico e meio ambiente pode estar relacionada ao suporte psicológico e social que o idoso recebeu dos colegas e profissionais e dos benefícios das atividades em grupo, bem como às tendência de elevação observada nos domínios relações sociais e geral. A participação em um programa de promoção do envelhecimento saudável mostrou-se eficaz na melhora da qualidade de vida do idoso.

A atividade física e o enfrentamento do estresse em idosos / Physical activity and stress coping in the elderly

Objective: To analyze the value of a physical activity program on stress coping of the elderly. Methods: Intervention study with a group of 18 elderly people referred by the Geriatric Service of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Universidade de São Paulo, who attended a supervised exercise program, evaluated by the human activity profile and the coping questionnaire. Results: In the coping and functional performance scales, increased stress coping capacity and improvement of daily activities were found after exposure to a physical activity program. Conclusions: The practice of supervised and regular physical activity, combining aerobic, resistance, stretching, and respiratory exercises, yields positive effects in the coping capacity and in the accomplishment of the daily activities.

Objetivo: Analisar o valor de um programa de atividade física no enfrentamento do estresse em idosos. Métodos: Estudo de intervenção em um grupo de 18 idosos encaminhados do ambulatório do Serviço de Geriatria do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, aderentes a um programa de atividade física supervisionado e avaliados pelo perfil da atividade humana e pelo questionário de coping. Resultados: Nas escalas de avaliação de coping e de desempenho funcional, foi verificado um incremento da capacidade de enfrentamento do estresse e melhora nas atividades cotidianas após a prática do programa de atividade física. Conclusões: A prática de atividade física regular e orientada, mesclando trabalho aeróbio, de resistência, de alongamento e respiratório produz efeitos positivos na capacidade de coping e na de realização das suas atividades cotidianas.

O efeito do consumo crônico de etanol na absorção duodenal de ferro em camundongos / The effect of chronic ethanol consumption on duodenal absorption of iron in mice

CONTEXTO: Os indivíduos alcoolistas apresentam aumento da concentração hepática de ferro e os mecanismos responsáveis por essa deposição são ainda desconhecidos. Apesar da extensa literatura existente sobre a absorção de ferro nos diferentes estados patológicos, os efeitos do consumo prolongado do etanol não estão totalmente esclarecidos. OBJETIVOS: Determinar a absorção de ferro no duodeno de camundongos após consumo prolongado de etanol, com relação ao controle de camundongos normais. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 10 camundongos machos da raça Swiss, distribuídos em dois grupos: grupo 1 (n = 5) - controle e grupo 2 (n = 5) - consumo de água com etanol, como única fonte de água ofertada. Os animais foram acompanhados durante 120 dias. Decorrido esse período, isolou-se o duodeno e pela parte oral de cada alça, infundiu-se solução salina contendo ascorbato de ferro II na concentração de 0,016 mg de ferro elemento. O efluente foi coletado nos tempos 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 e 120 minutos. Os resultados foram analisados pelo teste Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis, com significância para P<0,05. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença entre a absorção duodenal de ferro dos grupos 1 e 2, assim como na curva de absorção. CONCLUSÕES: Conclui-se que, nas condições deste experimento, o consumo prolongado de etanol não alterou a absorção de ferro.

CONTEXT: Alcoholists present an increase of iron hepatic concentration, although the responsible mechanisms for this deposition are still unknown. Despite the extensive literature related on the iron absorption in different pathological conditions, the effect of chronic ethanol consumption are still not conclusive and not completely understood. OBJECTIVE: To verify the effect of chronic ethanol ingestion on duodenal absorption of iron. METHODS: Ten male Swiss mice were divided into two groups: group 1 (n = 5) - control, and group 2 (n = 5) - water consumption with ethanol, as only water source. The animals were followed during 120 days. After this period, the duodenum was isolated and saline solution containing ascorbate of iron II in the 0,016 concentration of mg of iron element was infused. The effluent was collected in times 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 minutes. The results were analyzed by Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The significance was set for P<0.05. RESULTS: No difference was found between iron absorption as well as iron absorption curves in groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSION: The chronic consumption of ethanol did not alter iron absorption.

Identification and treatment of osteoporosis among elderly patients with hip fractures

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the profile of osteoporosis treatment among patients hospitalized due to hip fractures at a tertiary-level university hospital. To compare the impact of hospitalization on approaches toward treating bone mass losses. METHOD: The medical records of 123 hip fracture patients aged 60 years and over at the Institute of Orthopedics, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, between 2004 and 2006 were reviewed and analyzed with respect to approaches towards investigating osteoporosis and treatments before and after fracture. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 78 ± 8.3 years, and the majority were women (71.54 percent). The patients had a mean of 2.72 comorbidities and used 3.26 medications on average. Among these patients, 12.3 percent reported a previous diagnosis of osteoporosis, and 5.83 percent were on medication for this. The mean waiting time for surgery was 6.3 ± 7.54 days, and seven patients (5.7 percent) died during the hospitalization. There were no investigations using bone densitometry, no changes in osteoporosis therapy between admission and discharge (p = 0.375), and no reports of referrals for the patient to have access to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Investigations and treatments of osteoporosis and strategies for preventing new fractures were not implemented during the hospitalization of these elderly patients with hip fractures, even though this is the most feared complication of osteoporosis. These data need to be disseminated so that professionals dealing with elderly patients are attentive to the need for primary and secondary prevention of osteoporosis because of the impact of fractures on these patients' quality of life, independence, morbidities, and mortality.

Influence of acute alcoholism in the phagocyticfunction of the mononuclear phagocyte systemin an experimental model / Influência do alcoolismo agudo na função fagocitária do sistema mononuclear fagocitário em modelo experimental

Objective: Alcoholics are more likely to have infections, mainly in the respiratory system. Alcohol seems to inhibit the immune system. Despite the extensive literature related to alcoholism, data related to the immune system are still not conclusive. The objective of this study was to verify the influence of acute alcohol intake on colloid distribution in the organs of the mononuclear phagocyte system. Methods: Thirteen male Swiss mice were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 5) - control, and Group 2 (n = 8) - animals that received 0.5 ml ethanol 50%, 30 minutes before the experiment. Colloidal sulphur labeled with 99Tcm was used to evaluate colloid distribution in the liver, spleen and lungs. Colloid clearance was assessed as well. Gamma camara was used to measure the radioactivity of these organs and of a blood clot. Results: No difference was found in the presence of colloid in the organs of both groups. The liver showed the highest phagocytic function, followed by the spleen and lungs (p = 0.021 for Group 1 and p = 0.003 for Group 2). A minimum amount of radiation remained in the blood in both groups. Conclusions: According to the experiential conditions of this work, acute intake of alcohol did not interfere with the phagocytic function of the mononuclear phagocyte system in mice.

Objetivo: Os indivíduos alcoolistas têm uma propensão maior à infecção, especialmente do sistema respiratório. O consumo de álcool inibe tanto de forma direta como indireta o sistema imune. Apesar da extensa literatura existente sobre as repercussões do alcoolismo no sistema imune, os dados referentes à sua interação, quando administrado de forma aguda, na função fagocitária do sistema mononuclear fagocitário (SMF) permanecem controversos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi verificar a influência do alcoolismo agudo no SMF. Métodos: Foram utilizados 13 camundongos da raça Swiss, distribuídos em dois grupos: Grupo 1 (n = 5): controle, e Grupo 2 (n = 8): animais que receberam 0,5 ml de etanol a 50%, 30 minutos antes do experimento. Decorrido esse tempo, injetaram-se 0,15 ml de enxofre coloidal marcado com 99Tcm na veia jugular. Após uma hora, retirou-se um fragmento de fígado, baço e pulmão, além de um coágulo sanguíneo, os quais foram pesados. A atividade radioativa de cada fragmento foi medida em um aparelho de gama-câmara. Resultados: Ambos os grupos apresentaram maior atividade fagocitária no fígado, seguida pelo baço e pulmão (p = 0,021, para Grupo 1 e p = 0,003, para Grupo 2). O coágulo apresentou a menor quantidade de radiação tanto no Grupo 1 quanto no Grupo 2. Conclusões: Nas condições experimentais deste trabalho, o alcoolismo agudo não influenciou na atividade fagocitária do SMF.

Quality of life and multimorbidity of elderly outpatients

INTRODUCTION: Substantial medical research has established an inverse relationship between quality of life and illness. However, there exists minimal evidence for such a connection in the context of stable and controlled diseases. OBJECTIVE: We wished to correlate multimorbidity with quality of life for elderly patients who suffer from stable chronic diseases. METHODS: We used a tool to evaluate quality of life, namely World Health Organization quality of life-BRIEF, together with a scale of multimorbidity known as the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale - Geriatric Version. Furthermore, the quality of life data were correlated with scores recorded on the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale - Geriatric Version, the number of drugs used, and individual perceptions of health and age. RESULTS: We studied 104 elderly patients who suffered from chronic diseases. The patients had exhibited neither acute events nor secondary complications, their cognition was intact, and they were functionally independent. The Cumulative Illness Rating Scale - Geriatric Version showed an inverse correlation with the physical domain (p= 0.008) and a tendency toward an inverse correlation with the psychological domain (p= 0.052). Self-perception of health showed a high correlation with the physical domain (p= 0.000), psychological domain (p= 0.000) and environmental domain (p= 0.000). The number of drugs used correlated only with the physical domain (p= 0.004). Age and social domain showed a tendency toward a positive correlation (p= 0.054). DISCUSSION: We uncovered an inverse relationship between quality of life and multimorbidity in a group of patients who suffered from stable chronic diseases, with no functional limitations, pain or complications. Our data suggest that a patient's knowledge that they have a certain clinical condition changes their subjective assessment of quality of life in the related domain. CONCLUSION: The perceived quality of life of the sample...

Delirium / Delirium

Delirium é uma apresentação comum de distúrbios agudos na população geriátrica. Tem sido associado a um pior prognóstico, aumento de permanência hospitalar e dos custos, bem como maiores taxas de morbidade e mortalidade entre os idosos. Os fatores predisponentes e precipitantes são hoje mais conhecidos e estão associados aos cuidados hospitalares.Estudos controlados demonstram que intervenções preventivas podem reduzir de 30% a 40% a incidência de delirium, essas intervenções estão essencialmente ligadas a melhor qualidade no cuidado hospitalar. Este artigo revisa recentes estudos sobre epidemiologia, diagnóstico, fisiopatologia, tratamento e prevenção do delirium na população idosa.

Prognostic factors for mortality among patients above the 6th decade undergoing non-cardiac surgery: cares - clinical assessment and research in elderly surgical patients

PURPOSE: To ascertain perioperative morbimortality and identify prognostic factors for mortality among patients >55 years who undergo non-cardiac surgery. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 403 patients relating to perioperative morbidity-mortality. Data were collected from a standardized protocol on gender, age, comorbidities, medications used, smoking, alcohol abuse, chronic use of benzodiazepine, nutritional status, presence of anemia, activities of daily living, American Society of Anesthesiology classification, Detsky's modified cardiac risk index - American College of Physicians, renal function evaluation, pulmonary risk according to the Torrington scale, risk of thromboembolic events, presence of malignant disease and complementary examinations. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 70.8 ± 8.1 years. The "very old" (>80 years) represented 14 percent. The mortality rate was 8.2 percent, and the complication rate was 15.8 percent. Multiple logistic regression showed that a history of coronary heart disease (OR: 3.75; p=0.02) and/or valvular heart disease (OR: 31.79; p=0.006) were predictors of mortality. The American Society of Anesthesiology classification was shown to be the best scale to mark risk (OR: 3.01; p=0.016). Nutritional status was a protective factor, in which serum albumin increases of 1 mg/dl decreased risk by 63 percent. DISCUSSION: The results indicate that serum albumin, coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease and the American Society of Anesthesiology classification could be prognostic predictors for aged patients in a perioperative setting. In this sample, provided that pulmonary, cardiac and thromboembolic risks were properly controlled, they did not constitute risk factors for mortality. Furthermore, continuous effort to learn more about the preoperative assessment of elderly patients could yield intervention possibilities and minimize morbimortality.