Indicadores de fragilidad en adultos mayores del sistema público de salud de la ciudad de Antofagasta / Rates of frailty among older people ascribed to chilean primary care clinics

Background: Frailty is not universal among older people but increases the risk of dependence. Aim: To assess frailty among older people and its relationship with biological, psychological and social factors. Material and Methods: Seven hundred fifty four older people aged 73 ± 6 years (61% females), attending a public primary care were assessed. Frailty was defined according to Fried criteria that considers inexplicable weight loss, tiredness, muscle weakness and lack of physical activity. Results: Absence of frailty, pre-frailty and frailty was found in 26, 69 and 5% of participants, respectively. Significant differences between frailty groups were observed for age, gender, years of studies, minimental and self-efficacy scores. Among participants defined as being in a pre-frail condition, 59% were non-disabled without risk and 41% non-disabled in risk, according to the functional assessment for older people used in Chilean primary care clinics. Conclusions: Frailty among older people is associated with increasing age, education, cognitive status and self-efficacy.

Valoración multidimensional del envejecimiento en la ciudad de Antofagasta / Cross sectional geriatric assessment of free living older subjects from Antofagasta, Chile

Background: The effects of aging on people must be evaluated to adequate sanitary actions. Aim: To assess the characteristics of older subjects living in Antofagasta, Chile. Material and Methods: Cross sectional assessment of 602 subjects without dementia, aged more than 60 years (55 percent females). A socioeconomic and medical history was obtained and Barthel, Lawton, Yesavage depression, Tromp fall risk and Folstein Mini mental scales were applied. Results: Sixty eight percent of subjects had more than six years of studies. Forty six percent had hypertension, 28 percent had osteoarticular problems, 20 percent had hypercholesterolemia and 17 percent diabetes mellitus. Four percent had depression and falls were reported by 35 percent. Seventy four percent were independent in basic and instrumental activities. Ninety four percent had normal cognitive functions. Age was an important determinant of functional capacity. Conclusions: The main problems detected in this sample were the risk of falls and the presence of chronic diseases.

Práctica de autocuidado en los profesionales de Antofagasta / Practice of self-care in Antofagasta professionals

El autocuidado, asumido como una conducta preventiva en los profesionales del área de salud estatal de la ciudad de Antofagasta, es el foro central de esta investigación de tipo descriptiva-analítica. Existen en estos profesionales, elementos que hacen esperables y deseable la internalización de conductas preventivas. Estos elementos son sus experiencias profesionales, que les han permitido vivenciar los beneficios de las conductas positivas en Salud, así como los daños frente a la ausencia de éstas. Se encontro que un bajo porcentaje de profesionales realiza Prácticas de Autocuidado, que éstas no se relacionan con el nivel de atención en que se desempeña el profesional, destaca la relación entre una alta Motivación en Salud con la internalización de Autocuidado. Este estudio permitió identificar las debilidades y fortalezas del Autocuidado asumido como una conducta en un grupo de profesionales del área de salud