Robust older adults in primary care: factors associated with successful aging / Idosos robustos na atenção primária: fatores associados ao envelhecimento bem-sucedido

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of robustness among older adults assisted in primary health care and identify factors in successful aging. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study conducted with older adults in Northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Two questionnaires were used for data collection: the Brazilian Older Americans Resources and Services Multidimensional Function Assessment Questionnaire (BOMFAQ) and the Clinical-Functional Vulnerability Index IVCF-20). The adjusted prevalence ratios were obtained by robust Poisson regression. Statistical analysis was performed for older adults in general (60 to 107 years) and stratified by age: from 60 to 79 years and 80 years or more. RESULTS A total of 1,750 older adults aged 60 to 107 years participated; between them, 48.7% were robust. Older adults aged 60 to 79 years (n = 1,421) and 80 years or more (n = 329) had a prevalence of robustness of 55.4% and 19.3%, respectively. Some factors associated with successful aging were: positive self-perception of health, dancing habits, walking habits, absence of cognitive impairment, absence of depressive symptoms and polypathology, as well as daily life independence. After adjustment by age, the absence of polypathology and independence for activities of daily living stand out for robustness between 60 and 79 years; in those aged 80 years and over, independence for activities of daily living and dance practice presented greater strength of association. CONCLUSION The prevalence of robust older adults in primary care is considered satisfactory for the older population in general but decreases with age and is associated with the absence of diseases and disabilities. These results denote the need to redesign the health care system, focusing on promoting and preventing clinical-functional vulnerability.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Estimar a prevalência de robustez entre idosos assistidos na atenção primária à saúde e identificar fatores de envelhecimento bem-sucedido. MÉTODOS Trata-se de pesquisa transversal, realizada com idosos no norte de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Foram utilizados dois questionários para coleta de dados: Brazilian Older Americans Resources and Services Multidimensional Function Assessment Questionnaire (BOMFAQ) e Índice de Vulnerabilidade Clínico-Funcional (IVCF-20). As razões de prevalências ajustadas foram obtidas por análise de regressão de Poisson múltipla com variância robusta. A análise estatística foi realizada para os idosos em geral (60 a 107 anos) e estratificada por idade: de 60 a 79 anos e 80 anos ou mais. RESULTADOS Participaram 1.750 idosos, com idade de 60 a 107 anos, sendo 48,7% robustos. Idosos de 60 a 79 anos (n = 1.421) e 80 anos ou mais (n = 329) apresentaram prevalência de robustez de 55,4% e 19,3%, respectivamente. Associaram-se ao envelhecimento bem-sucedido: autopercepção positiva da saúde, dançar, fazer caminhada, não ter comprometimento cognitivo, ausência de sintomas depressivos e de polipatologia, além de independência para atividades de vida diária. Após ajuste por idade, destacam-se para robustez entre 60 a 79 anos a ausência de polipatologia e a independência para atividades de vida diária; naqueles com 80 anos e mais, a independência para atividades de vida diária e a prática de dança apresentaram maior força de associação. CONCLUSÃO A prevalência de idosos robustos na atenção primária pode ser considerada satisfatória para os idosos em geral, mas reduz com a idade e se associa com a ausência de doenças e incapacidades. Esses resultados denotam a necessidade de redesenhar o sistema de atenção à saúde, com foco na promoção e prevenção da vulnerabilidade clínico-funcional.

Egocentric and allocentric spatial memory in healthy aging: performance on real-world tasks

Although normal aging has been related to several cognitive difficulties, other processes have been studied less, such as spatial memory. Our aim was to compare egocentric and allocentric memory in an elderly population using ecological tasks. Twenty-eight cognitively unimpaired participants performed Egocentric and Allocentric Spatial Memory Tasks, as well as Spatial Span from CANTAB, Benton's Judge of Line Orientation test (JoLO), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment test (MoCA). The results revealed that younger participants showed better performance than older participants on both the Egocentric and Allocentric Spatial Memory Tasks, although only the Egocentric test was able to discriminate between younger, middle, and older elderly participants. Learning effect was found in Allocentric Spatial Memory Task in younger and older groups, but not in the middle group. Allocentric and egocentric performance was not related to other visuospatial neuropsychological scores and gender did not influence performance in any task. Egocentric and Allocentric Spatial Memory Tasks may be useful tools in early screening for cognitive decline, as they are able to detect age differences in the cognitive unimpaired elderly population.

Naming and verbal learning in adults with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment and in healthy aging, with low educational levels / Nomeação e aprendizagem verbal na doença de Alzheimer, no comprometimento cognitivo leve e no envelhecimento sadio com baixa escolaridade

ABSTRACT Language assessment seems to be an effective tool to differentiate healthy and cognitively impaired aging groups. This article discusses the impact of educational level on a naming task, on a verbal learning with semantic cues task and on the MMSE in healthy aging adults at three educational levels (very low, low and high) as well as comparing two clinical groups of very low (0-3 years) and low education (4-7 years) patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with healthy controls. The participants comprised 101 healthy controls, 17 patients with MCI and 19 with AD. Comparisons between the healthy groups showed an education effect on the MMSE, but not on naming and verbal learning. However, the clinical groups were differentiated in both the naming and verbal learning assessment. The results support the assumption that the verbal learning with semantic cues task is a valid tool to diagnose MCI and AD patients, with no influence from education.

RESUMO A linguagem tem se mostrado uma ferramenta eficiente para diferenciar grupos de idosos saudáveis dos com deficiências cognitivas. O artigo objetiva discutir o impacto do nível educacional na nomeação, na aprendizagem verbal (AV) com pistas semânticas e no MEEM no envelhecimento saudável em três níveis de escolaridade (muito baixa: 0-3 anos, baixa: 4-7 anos e alta: >8 anos) e em dois grupos clínicos de escolaridade muito baixa e baixa (Doença de Alzheimer - DA - e Comprometimento Cognitivo Leve - CCL), comparados a controles saudáveis. Participaram 101 controles, 17 CCL e 19 DA. Comparações entre grupos saudáveis demonstraram um efeito da escolaridade no MEEM, mas não nas tarefas de nomeação e de AV. Considerando as comparações entre os grupos clínicos, tanto a nomeação quanto a AV os diferenciaram. Os resultados corroboram a pressuposição de que a tarefa de AV com pistas semânticas é válida para diagnosticar CCL e DA, não sendo influenciada pela escolaridade.

Influencia de los lazos sociales en la salud de las personas / Influence of social ties on people's health

Se denomina apoyo social (AS) a la información y/o ayuda que recibe o percibe recibir una persona, con repercusión conductual y emocional. El AS estructural se refiere a los aspectos objetivos y/o cuantitativos de la red social, mientras que el funcional hace hincapié en los efectos que generan en un sujeto la conservación de su relaciones sociales. Se denomina AS objetivo a los recursos, las provisiones y las transacciones reales a los que las personas pueden recurrir. El AS percibido integra aspectos subjetivos de apoyo social y se centra en lo que percibe la persona en cuestión respecto de la ayuda con la que cree contar, existiendo creciente evidencia de su importancia pronóstica a través de caminos causales conductuales, psicológicos y fisiológicos. (AU)

Social support (AS) includes information and/or help received or perceived by a person, with behavioral and emotional conse-quences. Structural AS refers to objective and/or quantitative aspects of the social network, while functional AS emphasizes the effects generated by the preservation of social relations.Objective AS means resources, provisions and actual transactions to which people can turn. Perceived AS integrates subjective aspects of social support and focuses on what the person in question feels with respect to the help he or she believes they have; and there is growing evidence of its prognostic importance through behavioral psychological and physiological causal paths. (AU)

Condições pregressas e saúde no estudo "Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento" (SABE) / Early life conditions and current health status as per the study "Health, Well-being and Aging" (SABE)

RESUMO: Introdução: Condições da infância podem influenciar peculiaridades individuais do desenvolvimento e assim afetar a saúde dos adultos. Objetivo: Avaliar associações entre condições pregressas e saúde, como informadas nas pesquisas SABE de 2000, de 2006 e de 2010. Métodos: Condições pregressas referem-se a situações anteriores aos 15 anos: a condição econômica, a fome, a avaliação da saúde, a presença de doenças e ter vivido em ambiente rural por mais de cinco anos. As variáveis de controle foram o sexo, a escolaridade e a renda. O desfecho é a autoavaliação da saúde nas categorias "Boa" e "Má". A análise abrangeu pessoas entre 60 e 65anos. Resultados: A análise bivariada mostrou associações segundo a origem nas três coortes. Foram ainda significantes a condição econômica e ter passado fome, para os entrevistados em 2006. Na análise multivariada pela regressão de Poisson, o elemento de comparação foi a razão de prevalência. Origem rural foi a única entre as condições pregressas a apresentar significância no modelo inicial. As variáveis de controle- sexo, coorte, escolaridade - também apresentaram significância. No modelo final, foram consideradas as variáveis significantes no inicial e uma interação entre origem rural e número de doenças. Permaneceram significantes a coorte, o sexo, a escolaridade e o número de doenças quando o indivíduo teve origem rural. Estenúmero não foi associado ao desfecho se a origem fosse urbana. Conclusão: Há conexões entre as condições pregressas e a saúde do idoso, o que constitui em importante instrumento para a atenção à saúde, tanto para o indivíduo como para a comunidade.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Childhood conditions can influence some aspects of development of an individual and thus affect health in adult life. Objective: To evaluateassociations between early life conditions and health, as reported by the survey SABE in 2000, 2006, and 2010. Methods: Early or previous conditions refer to the situations before 15 years of age of the interviewees, such as economic condition, famine, health assessment, medical conditions, and having lived in the countryside for over 5 years. The control variables were gender, education, andincome. The outcome was self-reported health as "good" or "bad." This study focused on ages between 60 and 65years. Results: Bivariate analysis showed significant associations of the individual's origin in all the three cohorts. Economic and famine conditions were also significant for cohort B (2006). Multivariate Poisson regression was used with prevalence ratio as an element of comparison. Rural origin was the only significant early condition in the initial model. Thecontrol variables - gender, cohort, and education - were also significant. In the final model, the significant variables in the initial model were included, plus relation between rural origin and the number of diseases. Cohorts, gender, education, and the number of diseases were still significant factors when individuals had rural origin, but were not associated with the outcome if their origin was urban. Conclusion: There were connections between early conditions of life and the health of the elderly, and this might be an important tool for health care for both the individual and the community.

Redes sociais e funcionalidade em pessoas idosas: evidências do estudo Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento (SABE) / Social network and older people's functionality: Health, Well-being, and Aging (SABE) study evidences

RESUMO: Introdução: Possuir redes sociais ativas parece influenciar positivamente o desempenho funcional de idosos. Objetivo: Verificar a associação entre as características das redes sociais de idosos e o surgimento de comprometimento funcional. Métodos: Estudo longitudinal de base populacional que utilizou as coortesde2006 (n = 1.413) e 2010 (n = 990) do Estudo Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento (SABE). Para caracterização das redes sociais utilizou-se as seguintes variáveis: número de integrantes da rede; arranjo domiciliar; sexo e idade dos integrantes; co-residência com criança ou apenas com idosos; satisfação com a relação; recebimento e oferecimento de apoio social (financeiro, material, emocional, realização de tarefas dentro e fora de casa, companhia e cuidados pessoais). Utilizou-se regressão logística para a análise dos dados. Todos os cuidados éticos foram observados. Resultados: As redes sociais dos idosos possuem, em média, 8,15 integrantes e são constituídas predominantemente por familiares com idade entre 15 e 59 anos. Idosos dependentes recebem mais apoio material, para realização de tarefas domésticas, fora de casa e cuidados pessoais, enquanto os idosos independentes recebem mais apoio emocional e companhia. Oferecer apoio social (OR = 0,32; IC95% 0,14-0,71) diminuiu as chances de desenvolver dependência, independente de condições sociodemográficas e de saúde. Conclusão: Deve-se estimular o fortalecimento das redes sociais na velhice, uma vez que a confiança no cuidado informal, oferecido, principalmente pelas famílias, pode não ser a melhor opção para lidar com a demanda de cuidado crescente que acompanha o envelhecimento da população brasileira.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Possessing active social networks seems to positively influence the functional performance of elderly people. Objective: To verify the association between the characteristics of social networks of the elderly people and the emergence of functional impairment. Methods: This is a longitudinal population-based study, which used the 2006 (n = 1,413) and 2010 (n = 990) cohorts of the Health, Well-Being, and Aging (SABE) Study. To characterize the social networks, the following variables were used: number of members in the network; living arrangements; sex and age of the members; coresidence with children or only elderly individuals; satisfaction with the relationships; and receiving and offering social support (financial, material, emotional, performing tasks inside and outside the home, providing companionship, and personal care). Logistic regression was used to analyze the data. All ethical guidelines were followed. Results: The social networks of the elderly people had an average of 8.15 members and consisted predominantly of family members aged between 15 and 59 years. Dependent elderly people received more material support, help in performing household tasks and those outside the home, and personal care, while the independent elderly people received more emotional support and companionship. Provision of social support (OR = 0.32, 95%CI 0.14 - 0.71) decreased the chances of developing dependency, independent of sociodemographic and health conditions. Conclusion: The strengthening of social networks in old age should be encouraged since confidence in informal care offered, mainly by families, may not be the best option for dealing with the growing demand for care that accompanies the aging of the population.

The influence of inspiratory muscle training combined with the Pilates method on lung function in elderly women: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: Aging is progressive, and its effects on the respiratory system include changes in the composition of the connective tissues of the lung that influence thoracic and lung compliance. The Powerbreathe® K5 is a device used for inspiratory muscle training with resistance adapted to the level of the inspiratory muscles to be trained. The Pilates method promotes muscle rebalancing exercises that emphasize the powerhouse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of inspiratory muscle training combined with the Pilates method on lung function in elderly women. METHODS: The participants were aged sixty years or older, were active women with no recent fractures, and were not gait device users. They were randomly divided into a Pilates with inspiratory training group (n=11), a Pilates group (n=11) and a control group (n=9). Spirometry, manovacuometry, a six-minute walk test, an abdominal curl-up test, and pulmonary variables were assessed before and after twenty intervention sessions. RESULTS: The intervention led to an increase in maximal inspiratory muscle strength and pressure and power pulmonary variables (p<0.0001), maximal expiratory muscle strength (p<0.0014), six-minute walk test performance (p<0.01), and abdominal curl-up test performance (p<0.00001). The control group showed no differences in the analyzed variables (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest inspiratory muscle training associated with the Pilates method provides an improvement in the lung function and physical conditioning of elderly patients.

Exercise for Healthy, Active Ageing: A Physiological Perspective and Review of International Recommendations / Ejercicio para un Envejecimiento Saludable y Activo: Una Perspectiva Fisiológica y un Examen de las Recomendaciones Internacionales

ABSTRACT Healthy, active ageing is an important public health goal, which is supported by appropriate, specific, targeted physical activity. Many physiological changes to the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system may lead to a decline in strength, fitness and resilience as the human body ages. Exercise is a proven means of overcoming physiological functional limitations and maintaining independence throughout the lifespan. The World Health Organisation, American College of Sports Medicine and American Academy of Family Medicine have proposed guidelines for the minimum amount of physical activity to be performed each week by older adults. Each adult needs an individualized mix of aerobic, strength-training, balance and flexibility exercises, to maintain autonomy, reduce chronic disease risk and enjoy a good quality of life. This review summarizes the important highlights of these recommendations and focusses on the significant physiological gains to be achieved from exercise.

RESUMEN El envejecimiento saludable y activo es un objetivo importante de la salud pública, apoyado por una actividad física apropiada, específica y dirigida a tal fin. Muchos cambios fisiológicos en el sistema cardiovascular y musculoesquelético pueden llevar a una disminución de la fuerza, la aptitud física, y la resistencia a medida que el cuerpo humano envejece. El ejercicio es un medio probado para superar las limitaciones funcionales fisiológicas y mantener la independencia durante la vida. La Organización Mundial de la Salud, el Colegio Americano de Medicina del Deporte, y la Academia Americana de Medicina de la Familia, han propuesto pautas para la cantidad mínima de actividad física que los adultos mayores deben realizar cada semana. Cada adulto necesita una mezcla individualizada de ejercicios aeróbicos y entrenamiento de fuerza, asi como ejercicios de equilibrio y flexibilidad, para mantener la autonomía, reducir el riesgo de enfermedades crónicas, y disfrutar de una buena calidad de vida. Este examen resume los aspectos más sobresalientes de estas recomendaciones y enfoca las importantes ganancias fisiológicas a lograr con el ejercicio.

Atividades avançadas de vida diária: Revisão de uma medida da capacidade funcional do idoso / Advanced activities of daily life: Review of a measure of the functional capacity of the elderly / Actividades avanzadas de la vida diaria: Revisión de una medida de la capacidad funcional del anciano

Este artigo objetivou revisar estudos nacionais e internacionais recentes que investigaram as atividades avançadas de vida diária (AAVD) com idosos, as quais sofrem influência de aspectos diversos que dificultam sua avaliação e padronização. As buscas foram realizadas com os descritores: AAVD e idosos; atividades produtivas de lazer, atividades produtivas sociais e idosos, nas bases dos periódicos: PubMed, MEDLINE, LILACS e SciELO. Os estudos revisados evidenciaram que a participação dos idosos nas AAVD tem contribuído para o envelhecimento saudável desse público-alvo, tanto nas dimensões sociais quanto nas clínicas.

The objective of this article is to review recent national and international studies, which have investigated the advanced daily life activities (ADLA) with the elderly. It is important to highlight that these activities are influenced by several aspects that make it difficult to evaluate and standardize them. The searches had been carried through ADLA and the elderly, including leisure, social and elderly productive activities and in the following papers background: PubMed, MEDLINE, LILACS and SciELO. The reviewed studies have shown that the participation of the elderly people in the ADLA have contributed for healthy ageing of this target public either in the social or clinical dimensions.

El presente estudio objetivó revisar estudios nacionales e internacionales que investigaron las actividades avanzadas de la vida diaria (AAVD), las cuales sufren influencia de aspectos que dificultan la evaluación y la estandarización. Se realizaron búsquedas en las bases de PubMed, MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO, incluyendo los siguientes descriptores: AAVD y ancianos; Actividades productivas de ocio, actividades productivas sociales y ancianos. Los estudios revisados evidenciaron que la participación de ancianos en las AAVD ha contribuido a un envejecimiento exitoso, tanto en las dimensiones sociales como clínicas.

Envejecimiento cardiovascular saludable / Healthy Cardiovascular Aging

Introducción: el envejecimiento es una situación biológica normal, se produce dentro de un proceso dinámico, progresivo, irreversible, complejo y variado, difiere en la forma en cómo afecta a las distintas personas e incluso a los diferentes órganos. Las enfermedades cardiacas constituyen la principal causa de morbimortalidad en los ancianos y es la segunda causa de mortalidad para todas las edades. Objetivo: caracterizar el envejecimiento cardiovascular saludable. Métodos: revisión bibliográfica documental de artículos publicados en Internet y en literatura impresa. Conclusiones: el sistema cardiovascular del anciano se asocia con alteraciones morfofuncionales que afectan los vasos sanguíneos, el miocardio y las válvulas cardíacas(AU)

Introduction: Aging is a normal biological condition. It occurs within a dynamic, progressive, irreversible, complex and varied process, differing in the way it affects different people and even different organs. Heart disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly and it is the second cause of death for all ages. Objective: Characterize cardiovascular healthy aging. Methods: A documentary literature review was conducted of articles published in the Internet and in printed literature. Conclusions: The cardiovascular system of the elderly is associated with morphological and functional alterations affecting blood vessels, myocardium, and heart valves(AU)