Capacidade funcional e fatores associados em idosos de um plano de saúde

Abstract

This cross sectional study aimed to investigate the fuctional capacity of elders and its associated factors. The study population was all health isuarance holders aged 60 years or more. Data colection was made by a self-completed questionnaire and included sociodemographic and health data. Fuctional capacity was measured by the Barthel index.

From the 254 participants, four (1,6%) reported total dependency, one (0,4%) severe dependency, one moderate dependency, 29 (11,4%) slight dependency and 219 (86,2%) were classified as independents. The outcome was defined as people having any kind of dependecy. Therefore the prevalence of functional incapacity was 13,8% (IC95% 9,5 a 18,0). Only one varible was significant in the multivariate models. Subjects aged 80 years or more had higher probability of functional incapacity compared with those aged 60-79 years. In high socioeconomic level populations there is a possibility of survival bias