The impact of asymptomatic vertebral fractures on quality of life in older community-dwelling women: the São Paulo Ageing & Health Study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of asymptomatic vertebral fractures on the quality of life in older women as part of the Sao Paulo Ageing & Health Study. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study with a random sample of 180 women 65 years of age or older with or without vertebral fractures. The Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis was administered to all subjects. Anthropometric data were obtained by physical examination, and the body mass index was calculated. Lateral thoracic and lumbar spine X-ray scans were obtained to identify asymptomatic vertebral fractures using a semi-quantitative method. RESULTS: Women with asymptomatic vertebral fractures had lower total scores [61.4(15.3) vs. 67.1(14.2), p = 0.03] and worse physical function domain scores [69.5(20.1) vs. 77.3(17.1), p = 0.02] for the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis compared with women without fractures. The total score of this questionnaire was also worse in women classified as obese than in women classified as overweight or normal. High physical activity was related to a better total score for this questionnaire (p = 0.01). Likewise, lower physical function scores were observed in women with higher body mass index values (p<0.05) and lower physical activity levels (p,0.05). Generalized linear models with gamma distributions and logarithmic link functions, adjusted for age, showed that lower total scores and physical function domain scores for the Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis were related to a high body mass index, lower physical activity, and the presence of vertebral fractures (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Vertebral fractures are associated with decreased quality of life mainly physical functioning in older community-dwelling women regardless of age, body mass index, and physical activity. Therefore, the results highlight the importance of preventing and controlling asymptomatic vertebral fractures to reduce their impact on quality of life among older women.

Satisfação da imagem corporal e visão de idosas ativas sob a influência do exercício físico na sua autoimagem / Body image satisfaction and the view of active old women about the influence of physical exercise in their self-image

Objetivou-se analisar a satisfação com a imagem corporal de 24 idosas ativas, e compreender a visão destas sobre a relação do exercício físico com sua imagem corporal. Todas responderam à escala proposta por Stunkard, Sorenson e Schlusinger (1983) e a uma entrevista semiestruturada. Estavam insatisfeitas com sua imagem corporal, 87,50%. A partir da leitura e análise dos discursos, formaram-se 2 categorias principais e 4 subcategorias. Assim, a maioria das idosas está insatisfeita com sua imagem corporal; porém, são reconhecidos os benefícios proporcionados pelo exercício físico...

The aim of this paper was to analyze the body image satisfaction with 24 active elderly women, and to understand the view of these people about the connection between physical exercise and their body image. All of them answered to the scale proposed by Stunkard, Sorenson and Schlusinger, 1983 and to a semi-structured interview. 87.50% of the women were unsatisfied about the body image. From the reading and analysis of the speeches, it was formed two major categories and four subcategories. Thus, most of the elderly women are unsatisfied about their body image, but the proportionate benefits by the exercises are recognized...

O gênero (in)visível da terceira idade no saber da enfermagem / The (in)visible gender of old age in the knowledge of Nursing / El Género (in) visible de la Tercera Edad en el Saber de Enfermería

Trata-se de um estudo bibliográfico, no qual realizou-se um levantamento da produção científica de enfermagem referente à Mulher na Terceira Idade no Catálogo de Dissertações e Teses do CD-room do Centro de Estudos e Pesquisas em Enfermagem(CEPEn) da Associação Brasileira de Enfermagem - ABEn no período de 1979 a 1999. Objetivou conhecer os afastamentos e/ou aproximações no saber de enfermagem com o objeto de estudo da tese de doutorado: os saberes e práticas de saúde das mulheres idosas, na perspectiva de gênero. Concluiu-se que a mulher na terceira idade foi investigada em poucos estudos, além do mais, os objetos destas investigações se afastaram fortemente das questões de gênero, demonstrando-se o aspecto assexuado da velhice, e negação dos papéis sociais da mulher.

It is a bibliographical study in which the scientific production of Nursing regarding Women in Old Age was surveyed. The study was based on the Catalog of Dissertations and Theses from the CD-ROM of the Center for Studies and Research on Nursing (CEPEn) of the Brazilian Nursing Association (ABEn), from 1979 to 1999. It was aimed at getting to know the deviations and/or approximations in the knowledge of Nursing by way of the object of study of the Ph.D. thesis 'Health practice and knowledge of old women in the gender perspective'. It was found out that old women have been investigated in few studies. In addition, the objects of these investigations have strongly deviated from gender issues, demonstrating the sexless aspect of old age and the denial of women's social roles.

Se trata de un estudio bibliográfico en el cual se realizó un levantamiento de la producción científica de enfermería referente a la Mujer en la Tercera Edad, en el Catálogo de Disertaciones y Tesis del CD - room del Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones en Enfermería (CEPEn) de la Asociación Brasileña de Enfermería - ABEn en el período de 1979 a 1999. El objetivo es conocer los alejamientos y aproximaciones en el saber de enfermería con el objeto de estudio de la tesis de doctorado: los saberes y prácticas de salud de las mujeres ancianas, en la perspectiva de género. Se concluye que la mujer en la tercera edad, fue objeto de estudio en pocas investigaciones y aquellas investigadas se alejaron mucho de las cuestiones de género, demostrándose el aspecto asexuado de la vejez y negación de los papeles sociales de la mujer.

Sexuality and its influential factors in old women

BACKGROUND: Although sexuality in old women is important for the quality of life, that has been overlooked due to social indifference. Because the studies for sexuality in old women were lack in Korea, we surveyed sexuality and its influential factors in old women. METHODS: From March to July 2000, we surveyed 115 old women over 60 years with 22 items of questionnaire. Data was gathered through written responses to the questionnaire and one to one interview between doctor and subject. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS ver10.0/PC and its significance was tested by chi square(p<0.05). RESULTS: Mean age of 115 women is 64.84+/-4.54year. There are 80 cases(69.6%) that thought sexuality is important in old women. Sexuality and sexual interest get gradually decreased by aging. Marital state, age of husband, family structure, economic state, sexual interest are statistically significant as the influential factors of sexuality(p<0.05). Sexual satisfaction comes out 35.7%. Age, marital state, family structure, job, economic state, subjective health state, current medication, sexual interest are statistically signifiant as the influential factors of sexual satisfaction(p<0.05). The reasons of decreased sexuality is due to aging process(47.8%), no partner(17.4%), partner problem(14.8%), physical illness(10.4%) and decreased libido. CONCLUSION: We conclude that sexuality in old women is important. Its influential factors are marital state, age of husband, family structure, economic state, sexual interest. Age, marital state, family structure, job, economic state, subjective health state, current medication, sexual interest are statistically signifiant as the influential factors of sexual satisfaction.